Halcion (Triazolam) - Halcion side effects, Halcion dosage
Halcion comes in a tablet form. It is designed as an insomnia treatment. Its generic name is Triazolam, which belongs to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines.
Halcion Primary Uses:
This drug is a short-term treatment used to manage insomnia in adults. It is formulated to help one easily fall asleep and allow one to experience an uninterrupted sleep. It targets the chemicals in the brain which are responsible for the sleep problems. It is a hypnotic drug; therefore, it makes one immediately drowsy.
Other Uses For Halcion
There are other uses of Halcion. But they are not specifically indicated in the label of the drug. Consult your doctor about this.
Halcion Side Effects:
Although Halcion has been proven to cure insomnia, it does not mean that it won't cause any side effects to the patient. Halcion side effects depend on the condition of the patient. Some experience minor ones, while others really suffer from severe symptoms. But whether the side effect is mild or severe, it is always best to talk to your doctor about it.
Minor Halcion side effects
- Depression
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Numbness
- Burning sensation
- Muscle weakness, lack of balance
- Forgetfulness
- Daytime drowsiness
- increased thirst, dry mouth
- stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting
- Nervousness, irritability
Major Halcion Side effects
- Restless muscle movements (eyes, tongue, neck, or jaw)
- Shallow breathing
- Fast heartbeats
- Slurred speech
- Suicidal thoughts, unusual behavior
- Confusion and hallucination
- Agitation and aggression
- Flu symptoms
- Nausea and stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Clay-colored stools
- Pale skin or jaundice
- Urination problems, dark urine
- Unusual weakness
Withdrawal Symptoms
After a few weeks of using Halcion, the patient would likely develop a dependency on the drug. Abrupt stop of taking the drug could lead to some withdrawal symptoms. Two of the common symptoms are:
- Increased wakefulness
- Daytime anxiety
There are severe effects of withdrawal from the drug. One type of this withdrawal condition is "rebound insomnia." It usually manifests during the first night after the drug is stopped. The insomnia becomes worse than before. Other symptoms include abdominal and muscle cramps, sweating, tremor, vomiting and convulsions.
How to Take Halcion:
Take the drug once a day. Do not take it before or during meals because this could alter the effectiveness of Halcion. Swallow the drug whole and aid it with a glass of water. Do not chew or break it. Take the tablet right before you go to bed so that you will immediately fall asleep. Do not take it earlier.
If you have been taking this drug but could not see any improvement with your sleeping problems, seek medical advice. This could indicate another health condition. Most importantly, take the drug as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take more Halcion dosage. And do not abuse the use of this drug.
What to Avoid When Taking Halcion:
Hacion could have a negative effect on the patient if interacts with any of the following drugs:
- Macrolide Antibiotic
- Cimetidine
- Ergotamine
- Birth control pills
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Heart medications
- Isoniazid
- Oral contraceptives
- Grapefruit juice
- Fluvoxamine
- Diltiazem
- Verapamil
Patients with any of the medical conditions below are not advised to take the drug, unless with the prescription of a doctor or a pharmacist:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lung disease
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- COPD
- Other breathing problems
- Glaucoma
- Depression
- Mental illness
- Suicidal tendency
- Drug and alcohol abuse/addiction
You should seek medical advice regarding the interaction of these drugs and conditions with Halcion.
Warnings:
Taking Halcion is not advised for pregnant women. This drug could be harmful to the unborn fetus. Lactating women are also not advised to take the drug. Triazolam could be excreted in the human milk, which could be unhealthy to the baby. Although there have been no studies as to how harmful it is, the best way to do is to avoid using the drug.
The drug has also not proven to be safe and effective for pediatric use. Children years and below are not allowed to take Halcion. The drug though is allowed for geriatric use. But due to the low response of the elderly to the drug, lower dosage is recommended. The lowest Halcion dosage should be administered to the patient.
Halcion Overdose And Remedy:When taken in higher dose, more than what is prescribed; Halcion could have manifestations of overdosage. The most common symptoms are confusion, slurred speech, respiratory depression, apnea, and seizures. There have been cases of overdose which lead to coma, and eventual death. Drug overdose should not be disregarded, for it is in itself a serious health problem. Immediate treatment is advised.
Take extra precaution when taking drugs like Halcion, especially when you have any of the health conditions or if you are taking any of the meds that interact with this drug. Although this drug has been clinically proven to be effective, you should not take more than what is prescribed. Follow all the instructions on how and how not to take the drug. Before and during taking Halcion, occasionally talk to your physician.