TRIAZOLAM

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Tiazo
Halcion
Novotriolam
Nu-Triazo

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Sedative (hypnotic)

Uses

• Treatment for insomnia.
• Prevention or treatment of transient insomnia associated with sudden sleep schedule changes such as travel across several time zones.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet: Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Affects limbic system of brain, the part that controls emotions.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 hours. May take 6 weeks for full benefit.

Don't take with:
Any prescription or non-prescription drugs without consulting you doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness, weakness, tremor, stupor, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial O (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See Emergency Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section above.

Common:

Clumsiness, drowsiness, dizziness.

Infrequent:

• Amnesia, hallucinations, confusion, depression, irritability, rash, itch, vision changes, sore throat, fever, chills, dry mouth.
• Constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, difficult urination, vivid dreams, behavior changes, abdominal pain, headache.

Rare:

• Slow heartbeat, breathing difficulty.
• Mouth, throat ulcers; jaundice.
• Decreased sex drive.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any benzodiazepine.
• You have myasthenia gravis.
• You are an active or recovering alcoholic.
• Patient is younger than 6 months.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have liver, kidney or lung disease.
• If you have diabetes, epilepsy or porphyria.
• If you have glaucoma.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time. You may develop agitation, rage or a 'hangover' effect.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision for children older than 6 months.

Prolonged use:
May impair liver function.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Hot weather, heavy exercise and profuse sweat may reduce excretion and cause overdose.
• Blood sugar may rise in diabetics, requiring insulin adjustment.
• Don't use for insomnia more than 4-7 days.
• Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you take this medicine.
• Triazolam has a very short duration of action in the body.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticonvulsants*	Change in seizure frequency
	or severity.
Antidepressants*	Increased sedative effect of
	both drugs.
Antihistamines*	Increase sedative effect of
	both drugs.
Antihypertensives*	Excessively low blood pressure.
Cimetidine	Increased triazolam effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Contraceptives*, oral	Increased triazolam effect.
Disulfiram	Increased triazolam effect.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Avoid.
Erythromycins*	Increased triazolam effect.
Isoniazid	Increased triazolam effect.
Ketoconazole	Increased triazolam effect.
Levodopa	Possible decreased levodopa effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Convulsions, deep sedation, rage.
Molindone	Increased tranquilizer effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central nervous
	system.
Narcotics*	Increased sedative effect of both drugs.
Nicotine	Increased triazolam effect.
Nizatidine	Increased effect and toxicity of
	triazolam.
Omeprazole	Delayed excretion of triazolam causing
	increased amount of triazolam in blood.
Probenecid	Increased triazolam effect.
Sedatives*	Increased sedative effect of both drugs.
Sleep inducers*	Increased sedative effect of both drugs.
Tranquilizers*	Increased sedative effect of both drugs.
Zidovudine	Increased toxicity of zidovudine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Heavy sedation. Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased triazolam effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Heavy sedation. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Decreased triazolam effect.