Triazolam

Triazolam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used for a short time (7 to 10 days) to treat insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep).

Triazolam may also be used for reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use triazolam in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel a stronger urge to use more of triazolam.

Never share this medicine with anyone else, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine out of reach of others. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Take this medicine only when you are preparing for several hours of sleep. You may fall asleep very quickly after taking the medicine.

Avoid using triazolam to prevent jet lag while traveling by airplane.

Call your doctor if your insomnia does not improve after taking triazolam for 7 to 10 nights, or if you experience any mood or behavior changes. Insomnia can be a sign of depression, mental illness, or certain medical conditions.

Do not take triazolam for longer than 10 nights in a row, unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not stop using triazolam without consulting your doctor. You may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.

The first few nights after you stop taking triazolam, your insomnia symptoms may return and could be worse than before.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a location where no one can misuse it.

Triazolam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.

MISUSE OF triazolam CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot reach it.

Do not stop using triazolam without consulting your doctor. You may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop using the medicine after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer.

Get medical help immediately if you stop using triazolam and experience symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts of suicide.

Inform your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be taken with triazolam.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to triazolam or similar medicines (such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, Valium, Xanax, Versed, Klonopin, and others).

Some drugs should not be used with triazolam. Your treatment plan may change if you also use:

• nefazodone;
• cancer medicine;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine; or
• antiviral medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or actions;
• lung disease, breathing problems, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep); or
• alcoholism or drug addiction.

If you use triazolam during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

You should not breastfeed within 28 hours after using triazolam. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out the milk and do not feed it to your baby.

If you do breastfeed, tell your doctor if you notice drowsiness, breathing problems, or feeding problems in the nursing baby.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Triazolam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Triazolam may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• daytime anxiety;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• confusion, memory loss, agitation, hallucinations; or
• depression, suicidal thoughts.

Some people using triazolam have engaged in activities such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later have no memory of the activity. Tell your doctor if this happens to you.

Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.

Common side effects of triazolam may include:

• drowsiness;
• loss of coordination;
• dizziness; or
• feeling light-headed.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:

Initial dose: 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtimeMaintenance dose: 0.125 to 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtimeMaximum dose: 0.5 mg/dayDuration of therapy: 7 to 10 daysComments: -Failure to respond after 7 to 10 days may suggest a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that requires further evaluation.-Use of this drug for more than 2 to 3 weeks requires complete reevaluation of the patient.Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia

Usual Geriatric Dose for Insomnia:

Initial dose: 0.125 mg orally once a day at bedtimeMaintenance dose: 0.125 to 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtimeMaximum dose: 0.25 mg/dayDuration of therapy: 7 to 10 daysComments:-Failure to respond after 7 to 10 days may suggest a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that requires further evaluation.-Use of this drug for more than 2 to 3 weeks requires complete reevaluation of the patient.-The lowest effective dose should be used to minimize the potential for oversedation.Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia

Triazolam is used as needed. If you are following a dosing schedule, skip any missed dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much triazolam can be deadly if you mix it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing.

Signs of an overdose may include drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, weak or shallow breathing, or coma.

Do not drink alcohol. Serious side effects or death could happen.

You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking triazolam. Wait until you are fully awake before you drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires you to be alert. Your reactions may be affected.

Grapefruit may affect how triazolam works and cause unwanted side effects. Avoid using grapefruit products.

Using triazolam with other medications that cause sleepiness or slow down your breathing can lead to serious side effects or even death. Talk to your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many medications can interact with triazolam, and some should not be taken together. Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are mentioned here.