Triazolam: Difference between revisions

Triazolam
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Revision as of 20:57, 9 February 2025

A benzodiazepine medication used for short-term treatment of insomnia

Triazolam is a benzodiazepine medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is known for its fast onset of action and short duration of effect. Triazolam is marketed under various brand names, with Halcion being one of the most well-known.

Medical uses

Triazolam is prescribed for the short-term management of insomnia, particularly in patients who have difficulty falling asleep. Due to its rapid onset, it is effective in reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. However, it is generally recommended for short-term use, typically not exceeding 7 to 10 days, due to the risk of dependence and other adverse effects.

Pharmacology

Triazolam works by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA_A receptor, which results in sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties. Its short half-life makes it suitable for use as a sleep aid, as it reduces the likelihood of next-day sedation.

Side effects

Common side effects of triazolam include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and nausea. More serious side effects can include memory impairment, confusion, and hallucinations. Due to its potential for abuse and dependence, triazolam is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States.

Contraindications

Triazolam is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, as well as in those with myasthenia gravis, severe respiratory insufficiency, or sleep apnea. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of substance abuse or depression.

Interactions

Triazolam can interact with other medications that depress the central nervous system, such as alcohol, opioids, and other benzodiazepines, leading to increased sedation and respiratory depression. It is also metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, particularly CYP3A4, and its effects can be altered by inhibitors or inducers of this enzyme.

History

Triazolam was first introduced in the 1970s and quickly became a popular treatment for insomnia due to its efficacy and short duration of action. However, concerns about its safety profile, particularly regarding its potential for abuse and adverse psychiatric effects, have led to more cautious prescribing practices.

Related pages

References

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+{{Short description|A benzodiazepine medication used for short-term treatment of insomnia}}
+{{Drugbox
+| verifiedrevid = 477318123
+| image = Triazolam.svg
+| image2 = Triazolam_ball-and-stick_model.png
+| width = 200
+}}
-{{intro}}
+'''Triazolam''' is a [[benzodiazepine]] medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of [[insomnia]]. It is known for its fast onset of action and short duration of effect. Triazolam is marketed under various brand names, with Halcion being one of the most well-known.
-Triazolam is an orally available benzodiazepine used predominantly for therapy of [[insomnia]].
-{{livtox}}
+==Medical uses==
-As with most benzodiazepines, triazolam therapy has not been associated with serum aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from triazolam has been reported but is very rare.
+Triazolam is prescribed for the short-term management of [[insomnia]], particularly in patients who have difficulty falling asleep. Due to its rapid onset, it is effective in reducing the time it takes to fall asleep. However, it is generally recommended for short-term use, typically not exceeding 7 to 10 days, due to the risk of dependence and other adverse effects.
-{{moa}}
+==Pharmacology==
-Triazolam (trye az" oh lam) is a benzodiazepine that is widely used as a sleeping aid in the therapy of [[insomnia]].  The soporific activity of the benzodiazepines is mediated by their ability to enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission through binding to the GABA A receptor.  Triazolam was approved in the United States in 1982 and was formerly the most common prescription sleeping pill used in the United States.  Concerns over its safety led to its withdrawal from use in the UK, and the availability of other potent, shorter acting sleeping pills has caused its decrease in general use in the United States.
+Triazolam works by enhancing the effect of the neurotransmitter [[gamma-aminobutyric acid]] (GABA) at the [[GABA_A receptor]], which results in sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties. Its short half-life makes it suitable for use as a sleep aid, as it reduces the likelihood of next-day sedation.
-{{use}}
+==Side effects==
-Current indications are for the short term management of [[insomnia]].
+Common side effects of triazolam include [[drowsiness]], [[dizziness]], [[headache]], and [[nausea]]. More serious side effects can include [[memory impairment]], [[confusion]], and [[hallucinations]]. Due to its potential for abuse and dependence, triazolam is classified as a [[Schedule IV controlled substance]] in the United States.
-{{dose}}
+==Contraindications==
-Triazolam is available in multiple generic forms and under the brand name Halcion in tablets of 0.125 and 0.25 mg.  The recommended initial dose for adults is 0.125 mg immediately before bedtime, increasing to 0.25 as needed; rarely, higher doses are used.
+Triazolam is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, as well as in those with [[myasthenia gravis]], severe [[respiratory insufficiency]], or [[sleep apnea]]. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of [[substance abuse]] or [[depression]].
-{{se}}
+==Interactions==
-The most common side effects of triazolam are dose related and include daytime [[drowsiness]], [[lethargy]], [[ataxia]], [[dysarthria]] and [[dizziness]].  Tolerance develops to these side effects, but tolerance may also develop to the soporific effects.  Triazolam is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance, indicating that it has a potential for physical and psychological dependence and abuse.
+Triazolam can interact with other medications that depress the central nervous system, such as [[alcohol]], [[opioids]], and other benzodiazepines, leading to increased sedation and respiratory depression. It is also metabolized by the [[cytochrome P450]] enzyme system, particularly CYP3A4, and its effects can be altered by inhibitors or inducers of this enzyme.
-{{benzodiazepines}}
-{{coststubd}}
+==History==
+Triazolam was first introduced in the 1970s and quickly became a popular treatment for insomnia due to its efficacy and short duration of action. However, concerns about its safety profile, particularly regarding its potential for abuse and adverse psychiatric effects, have led to more cautious prescribing practices.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Benzodiazepine]]
+* [[Insomnia]]
+* [[GABA_A receptor]]
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
+[[Category:Benzodiazepines]]
+[[Category:Hypnotics and sedatives]]
+[[Category:Schedule IV controlled substances]]