PharmaceuticalDepressantBenzodiazepineSedative

Triazolam (Halcion)

Also known as Halcion

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

Triazolam is a very short-acting triazolobenzodiazepine licensed as a hypnotic for short-term insomnia. Its rapid clearance minimises next-day hangover but promotes rebound insomnia, and its high potency gives significant dependence and amnestic liability.

01 Overview

Triazolam enhances GABA-A signalling with a rapid onset and very short half-life, making it useful for sleep-onset insomnia. Its brief duration limits daytime sedation but favours middle-of-the-night wakening and rebound insomnia.

Because it is potent and short-acting, triazolam carries a notable risk of dependence, rebound anxiety, and marked anterograde amnesia; some jurisdictions restricted or withdrew it over behavioural adverse effects. Withdrawal after regular use can include seizures, and co-use with opioids or alcohol adds respiratory depression.

02 Mechanism

Positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor with rapid onset and short duration; shortens sleep latency.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Light	0.125 mg	Oral	Lower dose, e.g. in elderly.
Common	0.125–0.25 mg	Oral	Typical bedtime hypnotic dose.
Strong	0.25–0.5 mg	Oral	Upper range; higher amnesia and behavioural risk, generally avoided.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Sleep inductionEffective for sleep-onset insomnia.	Rapid onset, short duration	Clinical
SedationShort-lived hypnotic sedation.		Clinical
AnxiolysisMild anxiolytic effect at bedtime.		Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Dependence and rebound insomniaRebound insomnia and rebound anxiety on stopping; dependence with regular use; withdrawal can include seizures.	Severe	Common with regular use	Clinical
Anterograde amnesia and complex sleep behavioursMemory loss and rare complex sleep behaviours (e.g. sleep-driving); prompted regulatory restrictions in some countries.	Moderate	Common	Clinical
Respiratory depressionAdditive respiratory and CNS depression with opioids or alcohol.	Life-threatening	Uncommon alone, higher with CNS depressants	Clinical

06 Legal status

United States

Schedule IV controlled substance

Prescription only. · as of Jan 2026

United Kingdom

Class C, Schedule 4 (Misuse of Drugs)

Prescription only; historically restricted in the UK. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

TriazolamStatPearls / NCBI Bookshelf

Triazolam label informationUS FDA / DailyMed

08 Discussion0 comments

Create account

Discussion is moderated. No sourcing, vendor names or price talk — those comments are removed, and repeat posts are banned.

This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.