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- $Unique_ID{BRK03366}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{triazolam}
- $Subject{Halcion Upjohn Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic triazolam insomnia
- waking morning wakefulness depressant central nervous system brain spinal
- cord}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Halcion 0.125 mg*0336601.scf
- Halcion 0.25 mg*0336602.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- triazolam
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Halcion (Upjohn)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- triazolam
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (0.125 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Triazolam is prescribed to treat insomnia, including problems with
- falling asleep, waking during the night, and early morning wakefulness. It is
- not clear exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve insomnia by
- acting as a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
-
- TREATMENT
-
- This medicine should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It can be
- taken with a full glass of water or with food if stomach upset occurs. Do not
- take this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may slow its
- absorption.
- If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the
- missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour. If more than an hour
- has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled dose. Do
- not double the dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Bitter taste in mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness
- (after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing,
- headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or
- vomiting. As your body adjusts to the medication, these should disappear.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
- chips.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- blurred or double vision, chest pain, depression, difficulty in urinating,
- fainting, falling, fever, hallucinations, joint pain, mouth sores, nightmares,
- palpitations, rash, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sore throat,
- uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness, or yellowing
- of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Triazolam interacts with a number of other types of drugs:
- 1. To prevent oversedation, it should not be taken with alcohol, other
- sedative drugs, central nervous system depressants (such as antihistamines,
- barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics, medicines for
- seizures, and phenothiazine tranquilizers), or with antidepressants.
- 2. Triazolam may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine, levodopa,
- and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) and may increase
- the side effects of phenytoin.
- 3. Disulfiram, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), isoniazid, and
- cimetidine can increase the blood levels of triazolam, which can lead to toxic
- effects.
- 4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of
- triazolam.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to triazolam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers
- (such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam,
- halazepam, lorazepam, prazepam, and temazepam).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
- kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
- depression, or mental illness.
- * This medicine can cause drowsiness. Avoid tasks that require mental
- alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
- * Triazolam has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
- Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage unless you first
- consult your doctor. It is also important not to stop taking this drug
- suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it
- for several weeks. Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
- * This is a safe drug when used properly. When it is combined with other
- sedative drugs or with alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This type of medicine
- may increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
- months of pregnancy. In addition, use of too much of this medicine during the
- last six months of pregnancy may lead to addiction of the fetus, resulting in
- withdrawal side effects in the newborn. Also, use of this medicine during the
- last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and
- breathing difficulties in the infant. Tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. This medicine can pass into breast milk and cause
- unwanted side effects in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-