Pharmacokinetics
Following oral administration, triazolam is quickly absorbed, reaching its peak plasma concentrations in one to two hours.Only around 20% of the dose makes it to the systemic circulation unchanged due to the extensive first-pass metabolism it goes through in the liver.The median elimination half-life, which can range from 1.5 to 10 hours, is 2.6 hours.Both the parent drug and its metabolites, which are highly bound to plasma proteins (>99%), are excreted primarily in the urine.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The symptoms of insomnia include trouble falling asleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, or early morning awakenings. You might experience daytime irritability or drowsiness if you have insomnia. Anxiety, depression, as well as other physical or mental issues, can contribute to insomnia.
Triazolam is approved for the short-term (7–10 days) treatment of insomnia. Triazolam dependence is a risk, so longer-term use is generally not advised. The effectiveness of the medication for each patient should be periodically reevaluated by the doctor (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma and those with known hypersensitivity to triazolam should not take this medication. Additionally, patients with a history of substance abuse should not take triazolam.
Patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma and those with known hypersensitivity to triazolam should not take this medication. Additionally, patients with a history of substance abuse should not take triazolam.
WARNINGS
Only after a thorough history has been taken to rule out any conditions that might mimic insomnia should insomnia be diagnosed (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS). In some cases, insomnia may be the symptom of a physical or mental health disorder. Triazolam should only be administered in these circumstances after such disorders have been ruled out. When insomnia does not go away after 7–10 days, it is typically due to a primary psychiatric cause.
Unfavorable reactions to triazolam are typically dose dependent (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). When giving Halcion to elderly or disabled patients, as with all hypnotic medications, care should be taken because these patients may be more susceptible to the side effects of benzodiazepines.