Triazolam - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, And Precautions

Overview:

Triazolam is a benzodiazepine used in acute or chronic insomnia to help people with difficulty sleeping. The drug reduces brain activity and has a calming effect on promoting sleep.

Triazolam is available only with a doctor’s prescription and should be taken only as directed by the doctor. The medicine should be used for the short term, not more than two to three weeks, as they can become habit-forming.

Triazolam causes a greater degree of sedation and impairment of psychomotor performance in healthy elderly than in young people receiving the same dose.

The drug has a risk for abuse and addiction, which may lead to overdose and death. Therefore, they should be taken only when lifestyle changes and behavior therapies are not helping.

Drug Group:

Triazolam is a class of medication called triazole benzodiazepine derivatives with sedative-hypnotic properties. Triazolam is FDA approved for reducing anxiety and treating sleep disorders. It is in the benzodiazepine family of drugs that includes diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, flurazepam,lorazepam, and others.

What Is Triazolam Used to Treat?

Triazolam is used to treat insomnia or difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep. It should be prescribed for short-term use of seven to ten days and should not be taken for more than two to three weeks without a doctor's consent. It is widely used as a sleeping aid in the therapy of insomnia and allows one to stay asleep longer.

Triazolam is a popular premedication prescribed to highly anxious dental patients because of its rapid onset and minimal effects on respiration and myocardium compared to other benzodiazepines.

How Does Triazolam Work?

Triazolam binds nonspecifically to the BNZ1 receptors when taken orally, affecting muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. The benzodiazepine receptors couple with the GABA receptors. The binding of GABA results in the hyperpolarized cell membrane, thereby preventing the excitation of the cell.

What Is Its Onset of Action?

Triazolam starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes and reaches peak plasma levels within two hours following oral administration. The plasma levels achieved are proportional to the given dose. The bioavailability is 44 % oral and 53 % when given sublingually. It has a plasma elimination half-life of two to five hours. The drug and its metabolites, as conjugated glucuronides, are inactive and are excreted in the urine. The two metabolites account for 79.9 % of urinary excretion. The effect of the medication wears off in six to seven hours.

Habit-Forming-

Long-time use of Triazolam may make one addicted to the drug causing mental or physical dependency. Triazolam is a Schedule IV controlled drug; its prescription should not be more than ten days.

Expiry Date-

Medicines that have expired should not be used as they may cause serious adverse effects. The expiry date is written on the medicine pack.

What Is the Dosage of Triazolam?

The drug is available in tablets of 0.125 mg and 0.25 mg. The doses vary and depend on the medical condition it is prescribed.

How to Take Triazolam?

Triazolam tablets are taken orally at bedtime. Take medicine without food for the best results. It is advised to go to bed right after taking the drug and stay for seven to eight hours. Triazolam should be taken for a short period. Take it only if you have at least seven to eight hours to sleep because waking up may cause drowsiness and some memory loss. To avoid the risk of addiction, take medicine as prescribed by the doctor. Triazolam should be taken when you cannot sleep and not on a scheduled basis.

Taking too much Triazolam may cause an overdose and require medical attention. Some overdose symptoms are extreme drowsiness, intense confusion, seizure, shallow breathing, slurred speech, or falling into a coma.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose of Triazolam, skip the missed dose. Instead, take all doses at different times.

What Are the Drug Warnings and Precautions?

Before taking Triazolam, it is essential to tell the doctor about your medical history to keep a check on unwanted effects.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding- Using Triazolam during pregnancy can harm the fetus. The drug may cross the placenta and cause respiratory depression and sedation in neonates. It is essential to monitor the neonates exposed to the therapy during pregnancy.

• Allergic Reactions - The medicine is not to be taken if you are allergic to Triazolam or similar medicines. It may cause severe reactions like anaphylaxis and angioedema and require immediate medical help.

• Respiratory Depression- Triazolam increases the risk of respiratory depression because of its action on the CNS. Triazolam therapy is monitored in patients with respiratory problems.

• Kidney Disease - Eliminating Triazolam is impaired in patients with chronic kidney disease and has a high risk of adverse effects.

• Liver Disease - Taking Triazolam may further worsen liver function and should be given with caution.

• Pediatric - Use of Triazolam in children below 18 years of age is contraindicated.

• Geriatric - Triazolam impairs cognition, mobility, and driving skills of the elderly and increases the risk of falls. It also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Alcohol - Taking alcohol with Triazolam can increase the effects of alcohol and aggravate drowsiness.

• Driving - Triazolam causes sedation and drowsiness. Hence patients should avoid driving and operating machines. Sleep driving may occur with patients taking Triazolam.

What Are the Side Effects of Triazolam?

Triazolam may cause side effects and it is important to tell your doctor if the symptoms do not go away after some time.

• Dizziness.

• Drowsiness.

• Lightheadedness.

• Headache.

• Nervousness.

• Tingling of the sin.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Problems with coordination.

Serious side effects may include-

• Rash.

• Hives.

• Itching.

• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Difficulty in breathing or swallowing.

• hoarseness.

• Abnormal thoughts of suicide, hallucinations.

• Memory problems.

What Are the Interactions of Triazolam?

Drug Interaction:

• Sodium oxybate.

• Mifepristone.

• Nefazodone.

• Itraconazole.

• Ketoconazole.

• Erythromycin.

• Clarithromycin.

• Lopinavir.

• Ritonavir.

• Delavirdine.

• Isoniazid.

• Oral contraceptives.

• Ranitidine.

Interaction With Food:

• Grapefruit Juice - Grapefruit juice increases the plasma drug concentration of Triazolam in the body.

• Caffeine-Containing Products- Patients taking Triazolam should avoid tea, coffee, and other caffeinated products as they may antagonize the sedative effects of the benzodiazepine.

Interaction With Diseases -

• Closed Angle Glaucoma - Triazolam is contraindicated in patients with untreated open-angle glaucoma as it may increase intraocular pressure.

• Acute Alcohol Intoxication - Alcohol consumption can be an additive to the central nervous depressant effect of Triazolam and should be used with caution in patients prone to acute alcohol intake.

• Drug Dependency - Individuals with a history of substance abuse should be under surveillance when treated with Triazolam and are prone to dependency. Abrupt cessation may lead to withdrawal symptoms.

• Renal and Liver Disease - Therapy with Triazolam should be administered cautiously in patients with impaired hepatic function as the drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine.

• Respiratory Depression - Triazolam causes respiratory depression and apnea in elderly and debilitated patients. Hence it is important to monitor and adjust the drug dosage in them.

• Seizures - The use of Triazolam in patients with seizure disorder may increase the incidence or onset of tonic-clonic seizures and is contraindicated.

• Obesity - The plasma half-life of Triazolam is prolonged in obese patients and should be carefully monitored.