Triazolam

Triazolam is the generic name of the drug marketed under the brand names Halcion, Novodorm, and Songar. Triazolam is mostly used as a sedative and it is a Benzodiazepine derivative type of drug.

General Information

Triazolam marketed under the brand name Halcion is a prescribe treatment for sleep disability. It is in the same classification for the drugs diazepam (brand name Valium), Alprazolam (brand name Xanax), Clonazepam (brand name Klonopin), Flurazepam (brand name Dalmane), Lorazepam (brand name Ativan), and several more others. As a drug belonging to the Benzodiazepine family, it has quite a number of uses apart from inducing sleep.

One of the chief perpetrators of insomnia, it is believed, is a degree of anxiety that becomes a hindrance to sleeping patterns. In this state of anxiety, the brain is excessively active. The Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is a natural occurring chemical in the brain, which is responsible for inhibiting several nerves and function in the brain in preparation for sleep. Triazolam and other common benzodiazepines can enhance the action of the Gamma Aminobutyric Acid and hence result less brain activity and hopefully sleep.

Triazolam is also ideal in treating acute insomnia and jet lag. An ideal Benzodiazepine for this purpose because the drug’s characteristics include swift onset of effects and the effect wears off in approximately 3 hours, so that it is a short term treatment. As an adjuvant, Triazolam is also used, in those medical procedures that would require anesthesia.

Prescription

Triazolam Halcion is generally prescribed to patients having sleeping problems. The dosage is one tablet taken at bedtime. For individuals on the age of 65 years and above may need smaller doses intake to avoid side effects. Consultation with health professionals is mandatory for this age group.

The generic is available for Triazolam. Purchase of the drug requires prescription. Since the recent years, Triazolam has been more controlled. Triazolam is available in 0.125 mg and 0.25 mg tablets, which are preferably stored at room temperature of 15 – 30 °C (59-86 °F). The FDA approved Triazolam in 1982.

Drug Interactions And Triazolam Side Effects

Like most Benzodiazepine substances, Triazolam adds to the effect of substances and drugs that would also inhibit brain activity, so proper preparation is utmost necessary. Alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics, even over the counter antihistamines react with excess with Triazolam, and could cause unnecessary sedation.

Some drugs also would serve as inhibitors to the natural elimination of Triazolam from the system, therefore prolonging the sedation effect. These drugs would include Cimetidine (brand name Tagamet), Erythromycin (brand names E-Mycin and Estolate), Clarithromycin (brand name Biaxin), Itraconazole (brand name Sporanox), Ketoconazole (brand name Nizoral), Fluconazole (brand name Diflucan), Carbamazepine (brand name Tegretol), and Fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox).

Likewise drugs that include Phenytoin (brand name Dilantin), Rifampin (brand name Rifadin), and Rifabutin (Mycobutin), these drugs facilitate the increased elimination of the drug Triazolam from the system, which therefore would result to efficiency loss of the drug.

There had been many speculations about the benefits of grapefruit intake in junction with medications. The thing is grapefruit juice also inhibit the body’s absorption of certain chemicals, leading to unnecessary waste of medication.

With pregnant mothers, Triazolam is to be avoided at all cost. It has been shown that the drug can cause fetal abnormalities. While it is not yet known if Triazolam would be passed into the breast milk, it is generally known that other common forms of Benzodiazepine substances would. So general avoidance might be a logical course.

The most prevalent side effect of Triazolam is general tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness, headache (especially if sleep isn’t satisfied), and unsteadiness. On severe cases, there had been case reports Triazolam of effecting drastic mood changes, aggression in behavior, and excitability.