Triazolam

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 7, 2023

This article describes triazolam’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of triazolam.

Boxed warnings

Triazolam has boxed warnings about certain risks. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The drug’s boxed warnings are:

• a risk of serious side effects if taken with opioids
• risks of misuse and addiction
• risks of dependence and withdrawal

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for triazolam” section.

Triazolam may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of triazolam and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about triazolam’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for triazolam.

* To view triazolam’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of triazolam are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about triazolam’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for triazolam.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Triazolam oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• problems with coordination or balance
• nausea and vomiting
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view triazolam’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for triazolam” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of triazolam are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about triazolam’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for triazolam.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, triazolam’s serious side effects include:

• behavioral changes, including agitation or aggression toward others
• new or worsening anxiety during the daytime
• slower brain activity, which may affect your body movements and ability to think
• new or worsening depression
• hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that appear real but are not)
• memory loss
• unusual sleep behaviors, including sleepwalking or sleep driving
• boxed warnings: risks of serious side effects if taken with opioids, misuse and addiction, and dependence and withdrawal†
• severe allergic reaction†

* To view triazolam’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for triazolam” section.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about triazolam.

Can triazolam be prescribed for anxiety or at the time of dental work?

Triazolam is not approved for treating anxiety, including anxiety related to dental work. However, doctors may still prescribe the drug off-label for these or other uses. Off-label use is when a doctor prescribes a drug for a condition other than its approved uses.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible off-label uses for triazolam.

What brand names are available for triazolam?

Triazolam is available as a brand-name oral tablet called Halcion.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about Halcion and how it compares with generic triazolam.

Does triazolam cause blood pressure changes?

No, triazolam isn’t expected to cause blood pressure changes. Changes in blood pressure were not reported in the drug’s studies.

However, blood pressure changes are possible with a triazolam overdose. High blood pressure can also be caused by withdrawal when triazolam treatment is stopped, especially if you stop it suddenly. (Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on).

To learn more about overdose and triazolam, see the “Interactions and warnings of triazolam” section. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about triazolam overdose or withdrawal symptoms. Do not stop taking triazolam without your doctor’s recommendation.

How does triazolam work? And how long does it take to start working?

Triazolam belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It works by producing a calming effect on your brain. Triazolam slows down activity in your brain and spinal cord, helping you relax and fall asleep.

Triazolam begins working about 15–30 minutes after you take a dose. It has a usual duration of action (how long its effects last) of around 6–7 hours.

If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as triazolam for certain conditions. Approved uses for triazolam are described below.

Use for insomnia

Doctors may prescribe triazolam oral tablet for treating insomnia. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Insomnia is a condition that disrupts your sleep. It prevents you from getting the sleep you need to feel refreshed the next day. Symptoms of insomnia include trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep.

Insomnia often causes fatigue (low energy), which can interfere with your ability to complete your daily activities. Not getting enough sleep over time may also lead to other health problems.

Below, you’ll find information about triazolam’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of triazolam

Certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take triazolam, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for triazolam” section below.

Warnings for triazolam

Some people should not take triazolam, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warnings

Triazolam has boxed warnings about:

• a risk of serious side effects if taken with opioids
• risks of misuse and addiction
• risks of dependence and withdrawal

Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about these warnings, read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of serious side effects when taken with opioids. Serious or even life threatening side effects can occur if triazolam is taken with an opioid drug. Opioids are a type of pain medication. Examples of opioids include hydrocodone (Hysingla ER) and fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora, others).

Both triazolam and opioids slow brain activity. Taking triazolam with other drugs that reduce brain activity can lead to severe symptoms. Examples include dangerously slow breathing and coma. Rarely, it can even lead to a life threatening overdose.

Due to the risk of severe side effects, doctors usually avoid prescribing triazolam and an opioid together. But in some instances, this may be the only treatment option. In this case, doctors will prescribe the lowest dose of triazolam and the opioid drug for the shortest time necessary to treat your conditions.

Call 911 or seek emergency medical help if you’re having severe symptoms after taking triazolam with an opioid.

Risks of misuse and addiction. Triazolam may be misused. It can also be addictive, even when it’s taken as prescribed.

Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Triazolam misuse can cause serious side effects, including dangerously slow breathing and coma. It may even cause a life threatening overdose.

With addiction, a drug is taken despite it causing harm. For example, taking the drug may interfere with your work, school, or social obligations. It’s important to note that drug addiction is not the same as drug dependence. (See the warning below to learn about the risk of dependence with triazolam.)

Symptoms of misuse and addiction include:

• missing work or school due to the drug
• being unable to stop taking the drug, even if you want to
• having weight changes
• feeling a lack of energy

Due to the risks of misuse and addiction, triazolam is a controlled substance in the United States. Doctors and pharmacists must follow strict rules when prescribing and dispensing controlled substances such as triazolam. These rules are meant to help prevent misuse and addiction.

If you have concerns about the risks of misuse and addiction with triazolam, tell your doctor. They can help determine whether the drug is safe for you to take.

Risks of dependence and withdrawal. It’s possible to develop dependence on triazolam, even when it’s taken as prescribed. You may also have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking triazolam.

Dependence means the body needs the drug to function like usual. Drug dependence is not the same as drug addiction. It’s possible to be dependent on a drug but not be addicted to it.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. Withdrawal symptoms may include panic attacks, mood changes, and seizures. Rarely, withdrawal symptoms from stopping triazolam can be life threatening. In extreme cases, withdrawal symptoms from stopping triazolam can last weeks or even months.

The risk of withdrawal symptoms from stopping triazolam is higher if you:

• stop taking the drug suddenly
• take a higher dose of triazolam
• take triazolam for a long time

If you’d like to stop taking triazolam, it’s important that you talk with your doctor first. They can create a plan to lower your triazolam dose over time until you can safely stop it completely. This is called a drug taper. Following a drug taper designed by your doctor lowers the risk of withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking triazolam.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the risks of dependence and withdrawal with triazolam.

Other warnings

Triazolam could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether triazolam is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for triazolam, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Triazolam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to triazolam or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe triazolam. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to triazolam, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of triazolam

If you take triazolam, you should not take more triazolam than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much triazolam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and triazolam

Information about triazolam and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Triazolam and pregnancy

There are risks to taking triazolam during pregnancy. But there are also risks associated with having untreated insomnia (trouble sleeping) while pregnant. (Keep in mind that triazolam is prescribed for treating insomnia.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about insomnia treatment options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should take triazolam during pregnancy.

If you and your doctor decide you’ll take triazolam while pregnant, consider joining the drug’s pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries help collect data on the safety of taking certain medications during pregnancy. You can learn more or join the registry by calling 866-961-2388 or visiting this site.

Triazolam and breastfeeding

Triazolam may cause side effects in a breastfed if you breastfeed while taking the drug.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with triazolam.

This article describes triazolam’s uses side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about triazolam or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does triazolam compare with other sleep medications?
• If I have side effects from triazolam, can you prescribe a lower dose for me to try?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects from triazolam based on my health history?
• Does triazolam interact with other medications I take?

• Triazolam- triazolam tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5a330f08-5d8f-4f8d-8847-a45b734412b4/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Nikfarjam Z, et al. (2022). Chapter 5 – Pharmaceutical applications of 1,4-benzodiazepines [Abstract]. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128245163000094

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.