Triazolam Drug Information
Generic name: TRIAZOLAM
Benzodiazepine [EPC]
Uses of Triazolam
Triazolam tablets are indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults. Triazolam tablets are a benzodiazepine indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults.
Dosage & Administration of Triazolam
Dosing Information
The recommended dosage is 0.25 mg once daily before bedtime. A dosage of 0.125 mg once daily may be sufficient for some patients (e.g., patients with low body weight). A dosage of 0.5 mg should be used only for patients who do not respond adequately to a trial of a lower dose. The maximum recommended dosage is 0.5 mg once daily.
Use the lowest effective dose for the patient as there are significant dose related adverse reactions. Use of triazolam for more than 3 weeks requires evaluation of the patient for a primary psychiatric or medical condition . Prescriptions for triazolam should be written for short-term use (7 to 10 days) and it should not be prescribed in quantities exceeding a 1-month supply.
Use in Geriatric Patients
In geriatric patients, the recommended dosage is 0.125 mg to 0.25 mg once daily. Initiate therapy at 0.125 mg once daily. The 0.25 mg dose should be used only for patients who do not respond to a trial of the lower dose.
The maximum recommended dosage is 0.25 mg once daily. Elderly patients have an increased risk of dose related adverse reactions .
Discontinuation or Dosage Reduction of Triazolam To reduce the risk of withdrawal
reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue triazolam or reduce the dosage. If a patient develops withdrawal reactions, consider pausing the taper or increasing the dosage to the previous tapered dosage level. Subsequently decrease the dosage more slowly .
Side Effects of Triazolam
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The incidences cited below are estimates of clinical reactions among 1,003 subjects who participated in the short term (duration of 1 to 42 days) placebo-controlled clinical trials of triazolam. Adverse reactions leading to discontinuation in two multi-dose placebo controlled clinical trials include coordination disorders, drowsiness, grogginess, somnolence, depression, restlessness, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, visual disturbance, nervousness, abdominal distress, bladder trouble, aching limbs, backache, and blepharitis.
Table 1 Common Adverse Drug Reactions in 1% or More of Triazolam-Treated Subjects (and Greater than Placebo) Reported in Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials Event Triazolam (N=1,003) % Patients Reporting Placebo (N=997) % Patients Reporting Central Nervous System Drowsiness 14
Headache 9.7 8.4 Dizziness 7.8 3.1 Nervousness 5.2 4.5 Light-headedness 4.9 0.9
Coordination disorders/ataxia 4.6
Gastrointestinal Nausea/vomiting 4.6 3.7
In addition to the common reactions enumerated above in Table1, the following adverse reactions have been reported at an incidence of 0.9% to 0.5%: euphoria, tachycardia, tiredness, confusional states/memory impairment, cramps/pain, depression, and visual disturbances. Adverse reactions reported at an incidence less than 0.5% include: constipation, taste alterations, diarrhea, dry mouth, dermatitis/allergy, dreaming/nightmares, insomnia, paresthesia, tinnitus, dysesthesia, weakness, congestion, and death from hepatic failure in a patient also receiving diuretic drugs.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of triazolam. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. General disorders and administration site conditions: Paradoxical drug reaction, chest pain and fatigue Gastrointestinal disorders: Tongue discomfort, glossitis, stomatitis Hepatobiliary disorders: Jaundice Injury, poisoning and procedural complications: Fall Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Anorexia Nervous system disorders : Anterograde amnesia, altered state of consciousness, dystonia, sedation, syncope, dysarthria and muscle spasticity Psychiatric disorders: Confusional state (disorientation, derealisation, depersonalization), mania, agitation, restlessness, irritability, sleep disorder and libido disorder, hallucination, delusion, aggression, somnambulism, and abnormal behavior Renal and urinary disorders: Urinary retention and urinary incontinence Reproductive system and breast disorders: Menstruation irregular Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Pruritis
Warnings & Cautions for Triazolam
Risks From
Concomitant Use With Opioids Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including triazolam, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Because of these risks, reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Observational studies have demonstrated that concomitant use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines increases the risk of drug-related mortality compared to use of opioids alone.
If a decision is made to prescribe triazolam concomitantly with opioids, prescribe the lowest effective dosages and minimum durations of concomitant use, and follow patients closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In patients already receiving an opioid analgesic, prescribe a lower initial dose of triazolam than indicated in the absence of an opioid and titrate based on clinical response. If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking triazolam, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response.
Advise both patients and caregivers about the risks of respiratory depression and sedation when triazolam is used with opioids. Advise patients not to drive or operate heavy machinery until the effects of concomitant use with the opioid have been determined .
Abuse, Misuse and Addiction
The use of benzodiazepines, including triazolam, exposes users to the risks of abuse, misuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines often (but not always) involve the use of doses greater than the maximum recommended dosage and commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes, including respiratory depression, overdose or death . Before prescribing triazolam and throughout treatment, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse and addiction (e.g., using a standardized screening tool). Use of triazolam, particularly in patients at elevated risk, necessitates counseling about the risks and proper use of triazolam along with monitoring for signs and symptoms of abuse, misuse and addiction. Prescribe the lowest effective dosage; avoid or minimize concomitant use of CNS depressants and other substances associated with abuse, misuse and addiction (e.g., opioid analgesics, stimulants); and advise patients on the proper disposal of unused drug.
If a substance use disorder is suspected, evaluate the patient and institute (or refer them for) early treatment, as appropriate.
Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use
a gradual taper to discontinue triazolam or reduce the dosage (a patient-specific plan should be used to taper the dose) . Patients at an increased risk of withdrawal adverse reactions after benzodiazepine discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction include those who take higher dosages and those who have had longer durations of use. Acute Withdrawal Reactions The continued use of benzodiazepines, including triazolam, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of triazolam after continued use or administration of flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist) may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening (e.g., seizures) . Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome In some cases, benzodiazepine users have developed a protracted withdrawal syndrome with withdrawal symptoms lasting weeks to more than 12 months .
Persistent or Worsening Insomnia
Since sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder, symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after a careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder.
Such findings have emerged during the course of treatment with sedative-hypnotic drugs. 5.5 "Sleep-driving" and Other Complex Behaviors Complex behaviors such as "sleep-driving" (i.e., driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic, with amnesia for the event) have been reported with triazolam use. These events can occur in sedative-hypnotic-naïve as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons. Although behaviors such as sleep-driving may occur with sedative-hypnotics alone at recommended dosages, the use of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants with sedative-hypnotics appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of sedative-hypnotics at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose.
Due to the risk to the patient and the community, discontinuation of sedative-hypnotics should be strongly considered for patients who report a "sleep-driving" episode. Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic, including triazolam. As with sleep-driving, patients usually do not remember these events.
Central Nervous System Manifestations
An increase in daytime anxiety has been reported for triazolam after as few as 10 days of continuous use. In some patients this may be a manifestation of interdose withdrawal. If increased daytime anxiety is observed during treatment, discontinuation of treatment may be advisable.
A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of benzodiazepine hypnotics including triazolam. Some of these changes may be characterized by decreased inhibition, e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seem excessive, similar to that seen with alcohol and other CNS depressants (e.g., sedative/hypnotics). Other kinds of behavioral changes have also been reported, for example, bizarre behavior, agitation, hallucinations, depersonalization. In primarily depressed patients, the worsening of depression, including suicidal thinking, has been reported in association with the use of benzodiazepines . Some adverse reactions reported in association with the use of triazolam such as drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, and amnesia appear to be dose related.
More serious behavioral phenomena such as confusion, bizarre or abnormal behavior, agitation, and hallucinations may also be dose related, but this evidence is inconclusive. Therapy should be initiated at the lowest effective dose . It can rarely be determined with certainty whether a particular instance of the abnormal behaviors listed above is drug induced, spontaneous in origin, or a result of an underlying psychiatric or physical disorder. Nonetheless, the emergence of any new behavioral sign or symptom of concern requires careful and immediate evaluation.
Anterograde amnesia of varying severity and paradoxical reactions have been reported following recommended dosages of triazolam. Data from several sources suggest that anterograde amnesia may occur at a higher rate with triazolam than with other benzodiazepine hypnotics. Because triazolam can cause drowsiness and a decreased level of consciousness, patients, particularly the elderly, are at higher risk of falls.
Cases of "traveler's amnesia" have been reported by individuals who have taken triazolam to induce sleep while traveling, such as during an airplane flight. In some of these cases, insufficient time was allowed for the sleep period prior to awakening and before beginning activity. Also, the concomitant use of alcohol may have been a factor in some cases.
Effects on Driving and Operating Heavy Machinery Due to its depressant
CNS effects, patients receiving triazolam should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. For the same reason, patients should be cautioned about the concomitant use of alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs during treatment with triazolam.
Triazolam Interaction With Drugs That Inhibit Metabolism via Cytochrome P450 3A
The initial step in triazolam metabolism is hydroxylation catalyzed by CYP 3A. Drugs that inhibit this metabolic pathway may have a profound effect on the clearance of triazolam. Strong CYP 3A Inhibitors Triazolam is contraindicated in patients receiving strong inhibitors of CYP 3A such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, and lopinavir . Moderate and Weak CYP 3A Inhibitors Triazolam should be used with caution in patients receiving moderate or weak inhibitors of CYP 3A. If coadministered, consider dose reduction of triazolam. Macrolide Antibiotics Coadministration of erythromycin increased the maximum plasma concentration, decreased clearance and increased half-life of triazolam ; caution and consideration of appropriate triazolam dose reduction are recommended.
Similar caution should be observed during coadministration with clarithromycin and other macrolide antibiotics. Cimetidine Coadministration of cimetidine increased the maximum plasma concentration, decreased clearance and increased half-life of triazolam ; caution and consideration of appropriate triazolam dose reduction are recommended.
Patients With Depression Benzodiazepines may worsen depression. Consequently, appropriate precautions (e.g., limiting
the total prescription size and increased monitoring for suicidal ideation) should be considered in patients with depression. 5.10 Neonatal Sedation and Withdrawal Syndrome Use of triazolam late in pregnancy can result in sedation (respiratory depression, lethargy, hypotonia) and/or withdrawal symptoms (hyperreflexia, irritability, restlessness, tremors, inconsolable crying and feeding difficulties) in the neonate . Monitor neonates exposed to triazolam during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation and monitor neonates exposed to triazolam during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal; manage these neonates accordingly. 5.11 Compromised Respiratory Function In patients with compromised respiratory function, respiratory depression and apnea have been reported. Closely monitor patients with compromised respiratory function. If signs and symptoms of respiratory depression or apnea occur, consider discontinuation.
Drug Interactions with Triazolam
Drugs Having Clinically Important Interactions With Triazolam Table 2 includes clinically significant
drug interactions with triazolam . Table 2 Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Triazolam Opioids Clinical implication The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABA A sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists.
Prevention or management Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of triazolam and opioids, and monitor patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation . CNS Depressants Clinical implication Triazolam produces additive CNS depressant effects when co-administered with other CNS depressants. Prevention or management Limit dosage and duration of triazolam during concomitant use with CNS depressants. Strong Inhibitors of CYP 3A Clinical implication Concomitant use of triazolam with strong CYP3A inhibitors has a profound effect on the clearance of triazolam, resulting in increased concentrations of triazolam and increased risk of adverse reactions.
Prevention or management Do not administer triazolam with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. Moderate and Weak Inhibitors of CYP 3A Clinical implication Concomitant use of triazolam with moderate or weak inhibitors of CYP3A inhibitors may increase the concentrations of triazolam, resulting in increased risk of adverse reactions. Prevention or management Use with caution and consider appropriate dose reduction of triazolam when coadministered with moderate and weak CYP3A inhibitors.
Strong Inducers of CYP 3A Clinical implication Coadministration of triazolam with strong inducers of CYP3A4 can significantly decrease the plasma concentration of triazolam and may decrease effectiveness of triazolam. Prevention or management Caution is recommended during coadministration of triazolam with strong inducers of CYP3A4. Interactions Based on Experience with Other Benzodiazepines or in vitro Studies with Triazolam Clinical implication Available data from clinical studies of benzodiazepines other than triazolam, from in vitro studies with triazolam, or from in vitro studies with benzodiazepines other than triazolam suggest a possible drug interaction with triazolam. Prevention or management Caution is recommended during coadministration of triazolam with any of these drugs..
Pregnancy Safety for Triazolam
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to psychiatric medications, including triazolam, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/pregnancyregistry/. Risk Summary Neonates born to mothers using benzodiazepines late in pregnancy have been reported to experience symptoms of sedation and/or neonatal withdrawal. Available data from published observational studies of pregnant women exposed to benzodiazepines do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects (see Data). The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions Benzodiazepines cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression, hypotonia, and sedation in neonates.
Monitor neonates exposed to triazolam during pregnancy or labor for signs of sedation, respiratory depression, hypotonia and feeding problems. Monitor neonates exposed to triazolam during pregnancy for signs of withdrawal. Manage these neonates accordingly.
Data Human Data Published data from observational studies on the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy do not report a clear association with benzodiazepines and major birth defects. Although early studies reported an increased risk of congenital malformations with diazepam and chlordiazepoxide, there was no consistent pattern noted. In addition, the majority of more recent case-control and cohort studies of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, which were adjusted for confounding exposures to alcohol, tobacco and other medications, have not confirmed these findings.
Animal Data Oral administration of triazolam to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused skeletal developmental changes (variations and malformations) at maternally toxic doses in rats and at doses in rats and rabbits which are approximately equal to or greater than 200 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 0.5 mg/day based on mg/m 2 body surface area. Oral administration of triazolam to male and female rats before mating, and continuing during gestation and lactation did not result in embryotoxicity at doses up to approximately 100 times the MRHD based on mg/m 2 body surface area, but did cause an increase in the number of stillbirths and postnatal pup mortalities at doses greater than or equal to approximately 40 times the MRHD based mg/m 2 body surface area. 14 C-triazolam was administered orally to pregnant mice. Drug-related material appeared uniformly distributed in the fetus with 14 C concentrations approximately the same as in the brain of the mother.
Pediatric Use of Triazolam
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of triazolam have not been established in pediatric patients.
Contraindications for Triazolam
Triazolam is contraindicated in: Patients with known hypersensitivity to triazolam, any of component of triazolam, or other benzodiazepines. Reactions consistent with angioedema (involving the tongue, glottis, or larynx), dyspnea, and throat closing have been reported and may be fatal. Concomitant administration of strong cytochrome P450 (CYP 3A) enzyme inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, lopinavir, ritonavir). Known hypersensitivity to triazolam or other benzodiazepines Concomitant use with medications that significantly impair the oxidative metabolism mediated by cytochrome P450 3A (CYP 3A) including ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, and several human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors
Overdosage Information for Triazolam
Overdosage of benzodiazepines is characterized by central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild to moderate cases, symptoms can include drowsiness, confusion, dysarthria, lethargy, hypnotic state, diminished reflexes, ataxia, and hypotonia. Rarely, paradoxical or disinhibitory reactions (including agitation, irritability, impulsivity, violent behavior, confusion, restlessness, excitement and talkativeness) may occur.
In severe overdosage cases, patients may develop respiratory depression and coma. Overdosage of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol and opioids) may be fatal. Markedly abnormal (lowered or elevated) blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate raise the concern that additional drugs and/or alcohol are involved in the overdosage.
In managing benzodiazepine overdosage, employ general supportive measures, including intravenous fluids and airway management. Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine receptor antagonist indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in the management of benzodiazepine overdosage, can lead to withdrawal and adverse reactions, including seizures, particularly in the context of mixed overdosage with drugs that increase seizure risk (e.g., tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants) and in patients with long-term benzodiazepine use and physical dependency. The risk of withdrawal seizures with flumazenil use may be increased in patients with epilepsy.
Flumazenil is contraindicated in patients who have received a benzodiazepine for control of a potentially life-threatening condition (e.g., status epilepticus). If the decision is made to use flumazenil, it should be used as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, supportive management of benzodiazepine overdosage. See the flumazenil injection Prescribing Information. Consider contacting the Poison Help line at (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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