Triazolam

Why is this medication prescribed?
Triazolam is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep).Triazolam is in a cla*s of medications called benzodiazepines.It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.
How should this medication be used?
Triazolam comes as a tablet to take by mouth.It is usually taken as needed at bedtime, but not with or shortly after a meal.Triazolam may not work well if it is taken with food.Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.Take triazolam exactly as directed.
You will probably become very sleepy soon after you take triazolam and will remain sleepy for some time after you take the medication.Plan to go to bed right after you take triazolam and to stay in bed for 7 to 8 hours.Do not take triazolam if you will be unable to remain asleep for 7 to 8 hours after taking the medication.If you get up too soon after taking triazolam, you may experience memory problems.
Your sleep problems should improve within 7 to 10 days after you start taking triazolam.Call your doctor if your sleep problems do not improve during this time, if they get worse at any time during your treatment, or if you notice any changes in your thoughts or behavior.
Triazolam should normally be taken for short periods of time (usually 7 to 10 days).You should not take triazolam for more than 2 to 3 weeks without talking to your doctor.If you take triazolam for 7 to 10 days or longer, triazolam may not help you sleep as well as it did when you first began to take the medication, and you may wake up more easily during the last third of the night.You may also start to feel anxious or nervous during the day, and you may develop dependence ('addiction'; a need to continue taking the medication) on triazolam.Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking triazolam for 2 weeks or longer.Do not take a larger dose of triazolam, take it more often, or take it for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
If your doctor has told you to take triazolam regularly, talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.If you suddenly stop taking triazolam, you may develop unpleasant feelings or you may experience more severe withdrawal symptoms such as uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, sad mood, seeing things or hearing sounds that do not exist, and rarely, seizures.
You may have more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep on the first few nights after you stop taking triazolam than you did before you started taking the medication.This is normal and usually gets better without treatment after one or two nights.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with triazolam and each time you refill your prescription.Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Other names
HalcionВ