How does triazolam work?
Triazolam is a drug from the benzodiazepine group. Like all representatives of this group of drugs, triazolam binds to the GABAA receptor and enhances the effect of the natural messenger GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).
In the human brain, GABA is the main messenger of inhibitory synapses (connection between one nerve cell and the next). When GABA binds to the GABAA receptor, it has a calming, anxiety-relieving and sleep-promoting effect.
When should triazolam not be used?
Triazolam should generally not be used in the following cases:
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or to any of the other ingredients of the drug.
- myasthenia gravis (autoimmune disease of the muscles)
- severe disorders of respiratory function
- sleep apnea syndrome (breathing regulation disorder during sleep in which the lungs are not ventilated enough and/or breathing stops)
- severe liver dysfunction
- spinal and cerebellar ataxias (disorders of movement coordination originating in the spinal cord and brain, respectively)
- acute intoxication with central depressants (e.g., alcohol, psychotropic drugs, sleeping pills)
- current or previous dependence on medications, drugs or alcohol
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- in children and adolescents under 18 years of age
What are the side effects of triazolam?
Triazolam may considerably impair the ability to react even when used properly. Therefore, do not drive or operate motor vehicles or heavy machinery during the first few days of treatment.
Like all benzodiazepines, triazolam can be addictive and may promote withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
When is triazolam used?
Triazolam is approved for the temporary treatment of sleep disorders. Due to its short duration of action, it is particularly suitable for sleep disorders.
How triazolam is taken
Triazolam is taken in the form of tablets. The usual dose for adults is 0.125 to 0.250 milligrams (equivalent to half a tablet to a whole tablet).
The preparation is taken immediately before bedtime with some liquid (preferably water). Afterwards, make sure you sleep for a sufficiently long time, around seven to eight hours.
Keep the duration of use as short as possible, preferably no longer than two weeks. Otherwise, you may find it difficult to stop taking triazolam.
These interactions may occur with triazolam
- Opioids: strong painkillers such as morphine and hydromorphone.
- Antipsychotics: Agents for psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, e.g., levomepromazine, olanzapine, and quetiapine
- Anxiolytics: anti-anxiety agents such as gabapentin and pregabalin
- Antiepileptic drugs: Anti-epileptic agents such as primidone and carbamazepine
- Older antiallergics: agents for allergic reactions such as dephenhydramine and hydroxyzine
- Antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole and itraconazole).
- Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin and clarithromycin)
- HIV medications (e.g., efavirenz and ritonavir)
- Aprepitant (drug for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting)
- Grapefruit juice
Triazolam enhances the effect of muscle relaxants. This increases the risk of falls, particularly in elderly patients.
If alcohol is consumed at the same time, the effect of triazolam may change unpredictably and intensify. Therefore, do not take the sleeping pill together with alcohol.
How to obtain medication with triazolam
Triazolam is available only on prescription in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
