Triazolam, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: benzodiazepine; sedative

Generic and brand names: triazolam, oral; Halcion

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat insomnia (trouble falling asleep, frequent awakening during the night, and early morning awakening). It can be used for recurring insomnia, poor sleeping habits, or medical conditions in which you need restful sleep. It is not usually taken for long periods of time.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have:

• depression
• glaucoma
• heart disease
• liver or kidney disease
• lung disease
• sleep apnea (stopping breathing during sleep and then gasping for air)
• thoughts of suicide.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. You may take it with or without food. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed because it may be habit-forming. Do not increase your dosage on your own.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy the day after you take it. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may make you excited rather than drowsy. If this happens, ask your health care provider what to do.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

Adults over the age of 65: You may be sensitive to this medicine and become confused or very dizzy or drowsy. If you have any of these problems, discuss your dosage with your health care provider.

When you stop taking this medicine after you have taken it for a few weeks, you may have disturbed sleep for the first night or two. You may also have withdrawal symptoms. Reducing your dosage gradually may lessen these problems. Follow your health care provider's instructions exactly.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Slowed rate of breathing, chest pain, irregular or fast heartbeat.

Other: Headache, nervousness, confusion, depression, nightmares, tiredness, dizziness, drowsiness, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, sweating, rash.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• alcohol
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), and pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• birth control pills
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• narcotics such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• theophylline.

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.