Halcion

Generic name: Triazolam
Drug class: Benzodiazepines

Usage of Halcion

Halcion is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used short term (7 to 10 days) to treat insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep).

Halcion may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Halcion side effects

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

Halcion 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.

Halcion may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

Daytime anxiety;

unusual changes in mood or behavior;

confusion, memory loss, agitation, hallucinations; or

depression, suicidal thoughts.

Some people using Halcion have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, walking, making phone calls, or having sex and later having 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 Halcion 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.

Before taking Halcion

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

Some drugs should not be used with Halcion. 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 Halcion 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 Halcion. 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.

Relate drugs

How to use Halcion

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

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

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

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

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

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

Do not stop using Halcion without asking your doctor. You may have 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 Halcion, 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 place where no one can use it improperly.

Warnings

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

MISUSE OF Halcion CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.

Get medical help right away if you stop using Halcion and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with Halcion.

What other drugs will affect Halcion

Using Halcion with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect Halcion, and some drugs should not be used at the SAMe time. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.