triazolam

Adjunctive therapy

Brands: HALCION

Last reviewed 2026-02-12

Reviewed by PsychMed Editorial Team.

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Quick answers

What is triazolam?
Triazolam (brand Halcion) is a very short-acting benzodiazepine indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days on label). It is primarily a sleep-onset agent; short half-life can limit next-day sedation but increases rebound risk and makes it a poor fit for chronic use.
What is HALCION?
HALCION is a brand name for triazolam.
What is HALCION (triazolam) used for?
Label indications include: Short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults (label).
What drug class is HALCION (triazolam)?
Short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic; GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator.
What strengths does HALCION (triazolam) come in?
Scored tablets: 0.25 mg.

Snapshot

Class: Adjunctive therapy
Common US brands: HALCION
Therapeutic drug monitoring not routinely recommended.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-12

Label indications

Short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults (label).

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Clinical Highlights

Triazolam (brand Halcion) is a very short-acting benzodiazepine indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days on label). It is primarily a sleep-onset agent; short half-life can limit next-day sedation but increases rebound risk and makes it a poor fit for chronic use. Compared with intermediate- or long-acting benzodiazepines, triazolam has higher rates of anterograde amnesia and behavioral adverse effects in susceptible patients; if confusion, agitation, or “odd” nighttime behavior appears, stop rather than escalating dose.

Halcion has clinically important CYP3A4 interaction risk: strong CYP3A4 inhibitors can dramatically increase exposure and are contraindicated—this is one of the most common “gotchas” that turns a low-dose hypnotic into a dangerous one.
As with all benzodiazepines, counsel about overdose risk with opioids and alcohol, dependence/withdrawal, and the need for a defined duration with reassessment rather than “open-ended” nightly use.
The compare view and the triazolam evidence feed can help weigh alternatives, and the triazolam print page can support safety counseling.
Best fit is a brief, high-intensity insomnia episode where a short-acting hypnotic is warranted and the team can avoid CYP3A4 interactions and monitor safety.
If insomnia persists beyond a short course, pivot to CBT-I and non-benzodiazepine options rather than chronic benzodiazepine use.

Dosing & Formulations

Scored tablets: 0.25 mg (label). Adult dosing is typically 0.25 mg once daily before bedtime; 0.125 mg (half tablet) may be sufficient in low-body-weight or sensitive patients (label).

Geriatric patients: start 0.125 mg and do not exceed 0.25 mg once daily (label).
Avoid dispensing quantities that enable long courses; the label discourages prescriptions exceeding a one-month supply.

Monitoring & Risks

Boxed warning: Concomitant use with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death (label). Amnesia and behavioral adverse effects: monitor for confusion, disinhibition, agitation, and risky nighttime behaviors.

Rebound and withdrawal: short half-life increases rebound insomnia and withdrawal risk after repeated use; avoid abrupt discontinuation after prolonged courses.
Next-day impairment still occurs in sensitive patients; reassess driving and fall risk and avoid alcohol.

Drug Interactions

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., azole antifungals, many macrolides, ritonavir) are contraindicated because they can markedly increase triazolam exposure and adverse effects (label). Moderate/weak CYP3A inhibitors and grapefruit juice can still raise exposure; consider dose reduction or alternate hypnotics (label).

Additive CNS depression with alcohol, opioids, antihistamines, and sedating antipsychotics—avoid stacking sedatives.

Practice Notes

Use only when the team can reliably screen for CYP3A4 interactions and provide close follow-up; avoid “PRN forever” prescriptions. Prefer CBT-I and non-controlled options (ramelteon, doxepin, orexin antagonists) for persistent insomnia, especially in patients at substance use risk.

If triazolam is used for more than a brief course, plan a gradual taper and monitor for rebound insomnia, anxiety, and functional decline.
If parasomnias, confusion, or disinhibition appear, discontinue and reassess diagnosis (delirium risk, substance use, bipolar disorder, sleep apnea) rather than escalating hypnotics.

References

Halcion (triazolam) prescribing information — DailyMed (2026)
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Chronic Insomnia in Adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline — Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (2017)
ASAM guideline on benzodiazepines — Journal of Addiction Medicine (2020)
Residual effects of medications for sleep disorders on driving performance — European Neuropsychopharmacology (2024)