Triazolam

Triazolam

Clinical data
Trade names	Halcion
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a684004
Pregnancy category	US: X (Contraindicated)
Dependence liability	High
Routes of administration	Oral
ATC code	N05CD05 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	CA: Schedule IV DE: Anlage IIIe UK: Class C US: Schedule IV UN: N IV In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	44% (oral route), 53% (sublingual), 98% (intranasal) []
Metabolism	Hepatic
Biological half-life	1.5–5.5 hours
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
IUPAC name 8-chloro-6-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine
CAS Number	28911-01-5 Y
PubChem CID	5556
IUPHAR/BPS	7313
DrugBank	DB00897 Y
ChemSpider	5355 Y
UNII	1HM943223R
KEGG	D00387 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:9674 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL646 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.044.811
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C17H12Cl2N4
Molar mass	343.2 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES ClC1=CC=CC=C1C2=NCC3=NN=C(C)N3C4=CC=C(Cl)C=C42
InChI InChI=1S/C17H12Cl2N4/c1-10-21-22-16-9-20-17(12-4-2-3-5-14(12)19)13-8-11(18)6-7-15(13)23(10)16/h2-8H,9H2,1H3 Y Key:JOFWLTCLBGQGBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y

Triazolam (original brand name Halcion) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant in the benzodiazepine class. It possesses pharmacological properties similar to that of other benzodiazepines, but it is generally only used as a sedative to treat severe insomnia. In addition to the hypnotic properties triazolam possesses, amnesic, anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties are also present. Due to its short half-life, triazolam is not effective for patients that suffer from frequent awakenings or early wakening.

Triazolam was initially patented in 1970 and went on sale in the United States in 1982.

Triazolam is usually used for short-term treatment of acute insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders, including jet lag. It is an ideal benzodiazepine for this use because its fast onset of action and short half-life. It puts one to sleep for not more than 1.5 hours (approximately 1–2 hours), allowing its user to avoid morning drowsiness. Triazolam is also sometimes used as an adjuvant in medical procedures requiring anesthesia or to reduce anxiety during brief events like MRI scans and non-surgical dental procedures. Triazolam is ineffective in maintaining sleep however, due to its short half-life with quazepam showing superiority.

Triazolam is frequently prescribed as a sleep aid for passengers travelling on short to medium duration flights. If this use is contemplated, it is especially important to avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and to do a ground based "trial" of the medication to ensure that the side effects and potency of this medication are understood by the user prior to using it in a relatively more public environment (as disinhibition can be a common side effect, with potentially severe consequences).