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Halcion - Uses & Side Effects

Generic name: Triazolam

Halcion (triazolam) is one of the benzodiazepine drugs. Benzodiazepines are medications (sleeping pills) that slow down the central nervous system. Halcion (triazolam) is a sleep aid used to treat sleeplessness and other sleeping problems.

Halcion Dosage

• The usual dose is 0.25 milligram before bedtime. The dose should never be more than 0.5 milligram.
• Safety and effectiveness for children under the age of 18 have not been established.
• To decrease the possibility of oversedation, dizziness, or impaired coordination, the usual starting dose is 0.125 milligram. This may be increased to 0.25 milligram if necessary.
• Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and light.

Uses of Halcion

• Halcion is a drug that is used for treating several psychiatric disorders.
• Halcion is used to treat a variety of fungal infections.
• Halcion is also used to treat fungal infections that have not responded to griseofulvin, another antifungal medication.

Side Effects of Halcion

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Halcion. Side effects may include:

• Coordination problems, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, light-headedness, nausea/vomiting, nervousness.

Warnings and precautions before taking Halcion:

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be more sensitive to this medicine.
• You may suffer increased anxiety during the daytime while taking Halcion.
• When you first start taking Halcion, until you know whether the medication will have any carry over effect the next day, use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness such as driving a car or operating machinery.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

Drug Interaction :- If Halcion is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Halcion with the following:

• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
  
• Antidepressant medications, including tricyclic drugs such as Elavil, and MAO inhibitors such as Nardil and Parnate
  
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
  
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital and Seconal
  
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
  
• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune Neoral)
  
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)

Overdose

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. Severe overdosage of Halcion can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical help immediately. Symptoms of Halcion overdose may include:

• Apnea (temporary cessation of breathing), coma, confusion, excessive sleepiness, problems in coordination, seizures, shallow or difficult breathing, slurred speech.