Triazolam 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).

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

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

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

Do not stop using triazolam 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.

Get medical help right away if you stop using triazolam 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 triazolam.

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

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 triazolam to prevent jet lag while traveling by airplane.

Call your doctor if your insomnia does not improve after taking triazolam 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 triazolam for longer than 10 nights in a row, unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not stop using triazolam 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 triazolam, 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.

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:

Initial dose: 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Maintenance dose: 0.125 to 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Maximum dose: 0.5 mg/day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:
-Failure to respond after 7 to 10 days may suggest a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that requires further evaluation.
-Use of this drug for more than 2 to 3 weeks requires complete reevaluation of the patient.

Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia

Usual Geriatric Dose for Insomnia:

Initial dose: 0.125 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Maintenance dose: 0.125 to 0.25 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Maximum dose: 0.25 mg/day
Duration of therapy: 7 to 10 days

Comments:
-Failure to respond after 7 to 10 days may suggest a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that requires further evaluation.
-Use of this drug for more than 2 to 3 weeks requires complete reevaluation of the patient.
-The lowest effective dose should be used to minimize the potential for oversedation.

Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia

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

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

Triazolam is used when needed. If you are on a dosing schedule, skip any missed dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of triazolam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, loss of coordination, weak or shallow breathing, or coma.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep triazolam in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Keep track of how many capsules are left so you will know if any are missing.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking triazolam. Wait until you are fully awake before you drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Your reactions may be impaired.

Grapefruit may interact with triazolam and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

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

Triazolam 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.

Triazolam 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 triazolam 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 triazolam 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.

Using triazolam 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 triazolam, 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.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to triazolam.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Triazolam is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.