Summary
Triazolam is an extremely potent, ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia (7-10 days maximum). It was withdrawn from the UK market due to high incidence of psychiatric adverse reactions including amnesia, confusion, paradoxical agitation, and hallucinations. Risk of complex sleep behaviors (sleep-driving, sleep-eating) and severe anterograde amnesia is higher than most benzodiazepines. Use caution in elderly populations and avoid with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Dose Information
| ROA | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 0.125-0.25mg | 0.25-0.5mg | 0.5-1.5mg | 1.5mg+ |
Light
Common
Strong
Heavy
Onset, Duration & After-effects
| ROA | Onset | Comeup | Peak | Offset | After Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 15-30 min | 30-60 min | 1-2 hrs | 2-4 hrs | 12 hrs |
Tolerance
Build-up
develops over 1–4 weeks of daily use; hypnotic tolerance faster than anxiolytic tolerance
Reset
weeks to months depending on half-life and duration of use; taper recommended
Cross-tolerance
Effects
Positive
- Anxiolysis
- Muscle relaxation
- Anxiolytic
- Physical euphoria
- Muscle Relaxant
Negative
- Respiratory depression
- Sedation
- But primarily sedative or hypnotic
- Sedative
- Dystaxia
Positive
- Cognitive euphoria
- Anxiety suppression
Negative
- Amnesia
- Confusion
- Delusions of sobriety
- Emotion suppression
- Motor control loss
- Compulsive redosing
- Dizziness
- Thought deceleration
Positive
- Increased libido
- Appetite enhancement
Negative
- Disinhibition
- Acuity suppression
- Visual acuity suppression
- Acuity Suppression
- Decreased Libido
- Double vision
- Dulled perception
- Perception of bodily heaviness