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Halcion is a sedative-hypnotic of the benzodiazepine family of drugs. It is prescribed for short term treatment of insomnia (see Sleep Disorders), with manufacturer's guidelines suggesting reevaluation after 2 or 3 weeks. Prescription guidelines suggest that no more than a month's supply be given at any one time.

Halcion is only available by prescription.

Halcion Side Effects

Drowsiness is an unavoidable, and intentional, side effect of this medication. Take it only before going to sleep for the night.

Common Side Effects: Dizziness, light-headedness, nervousness, poor coordination. After treatment is stopped, one or two nights of 'rebound' insomnia are typical. This effect may be worsened if you stop treatment abruptly after using it for several weeks. Speak to your doctor about the best way to step down your dosage and end Halcion treatment.

Less Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, agitation, altered sex drive, blurred or altered vision, chest pain, confusion, constipation or diarrhea, cramps, difficult urination, dry mouth, false sense of well-being, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting, runny nose, trembling, unusual weakness.

Uncommon to Rare Side Effects: Aggressive behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, cold or flu-like symptoms, confusion, delusions, depression, excitement, hallucinations, insomnia, involuntary movements, irritability, low blood pressure, lowered inhibitions (as in intoxication with alcohol), muscle weakness, racing heartbeat, rash or itching, seizures, sores in the mouth, strange behavior, temporary amnesia. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if any of these conditions occur, particularly if you have a history of depression or other personality disorder.

Cautions: Halcion is not for everyone. A history, or present case, of any of the following conditions may be grounds for a doctor to determine that you should try another treatment.

• Alcohol or drug abuse - may increase likelihood of Halcion dependence
• Allergic reaction to Halcion, or other benzodiazepine. Always tell your doctor about any allergies before starting a medication, including food and dye reactions.
• Borderline personality disorder or a history of violent behavior may be contraindications for treatment with this medication.
• Brain disease - may increase likelihood of side effects from Halcion.
• Breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or any other chronic lung disease - Halcion may worsen this condition.
• Difficulty swallowing - This condition may become more pronounced in children.
• Epilepsy or seizures - Abruptly starting or stopping treatment with Halcion may increase seizures.
• Glaucoma - Halcion should not be prescribed to patients with acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients receiving treatment for open angle glaucoma should consult their doctor, as Halcion may be an acceptable treatment for them.
• Hyperactivity - Benzodiazepines may worsen this condition.
• Kidney or liver problems - More Halcion may end up in your bloodstream if you have a pre-existing kidney or liver condition, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
• Major Depression - Benzodiazepines may worsen this condition, and are known to increase suicidal ideation in depressed individuals.
• Myasthenia gravis - This autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness may be aggravated by Halcion treatment.
• Porphyria - Halcion (triazolam) is listed as an unsafe drug for porphyria, an enzyme deficiency that can cause fragile skin that is sensitive to sunlight, digestive difficulties, anxiety, and reddish-brown urine.
• Psychosis or other serious mental illness - Halcion has not proved to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and might not be recommended due to potential side effects.
• Sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during sleep, typically accompanied by snoring) - Halcion may worsen sleep apnea by further relaxing loose tissue in the breathing passages thought to cause the problem. Individuals with sleep apnea should not generally use sedatives as sleep aids. (See Sleep Disorders)

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Halcion should not be combined with all other medications, whether prescription, herbal, or over the counter. This medication is a central nervous system depressant, and should be used cautiously with any other medications that cause drowsiness or sedation. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you take, or plan to take, any of the following during treatment. You may wish to have them help you design a medication schedule that prevents certain treatments from interfering with each other, though certain of these drugs should not be used with Halcion at all.

• Adalat (nifedipine)
• Alcohol - Halcion should not be mixed with alcohol, individuals are advised to avoid it completely during treatment.
• Any medication which may cause drowsiness
• Antibiotics (macrolide antibiotics) like azithromycin, biaxin, clarythromycin, or erythromycin
• Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
• Antiseizure medication like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin (phenytoin), or Tegretol (carbamazepine) - these medications may decrease each other's effectiveness.
• Benzodiazepines of any other type, such as Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), ProSom (estazolam), or Xanax (alprazolam).
• BuSpar (buspirone) - Can result in oversedation.
• Calan (verapamil)
• Cardene (nicardipine)
• Cardizem (diltiazem)
• Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive CNS depression.
• Diflucan (fluconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable buildup of Halcion, leading to increased side effects and longer presence in the body.
• Ergotamine derivatives like Cafergot, DHE 45 injections, Ergostat, Hydergine, Migranal nasal spray, or Sansert.
• Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
• Kava kava - Do not use this herb while taking Halcion.
• Lopressor (metoprolol) -Can result in oversedation.
• MAO inhibitors - Halcion should not be mixed with MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone), Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
• Muscle relaxants such as Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin (metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol), or Robaxin (methocarbamol) may cause oversedation in combination with this medication.
• Mysoline (primidone) - May cause oversedation.
• Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene), Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol (meperidine), Codeine, Percocet (oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen) or OxyContin (oxycodone) should likely be taken in much lower doses while using Halcion, and should probably not be taken concurrently or within two hours of use. Speak to your doctor for specific instructions.
• Nizoral (ketoconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable buildup of Halcion, leading to increased side effects and longer presence in the body.
• Norflex (orphenadrine) - Risk of oversedation.
• Oral contraceptives - May increase the effects of Halcion.
• Phenobarbitol, Fioricet (butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal, Seconal, or other barbiturates may cause oversedation.
• Prilosec (omeprazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable buildup of Halcion, leading to increased side effects and longer presence in the body.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
• Serzone (nefazodone)
• Sinemet (carbidopa, levadopa) can cause oversedation.
• Sleep medication like Ambien (zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon), or over the counter sleeping pills should be not be used with Halcion.
• Sporanox (itraconazole) - This antifungal may cause undesirable buildup of Halcion, leading to increased side effects and longer presence in the body.
• Street drugs - Marijuana may increase sedative effects from Halcion. You should refrain from using any illegal drugs while taking prescription medication, as it greatly increases the risk of adverse side effects and overdose.
• St. John's Wort - Do not take this herb while taking Halcion.
• Tagamet (cimetidine)
• Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine), or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil (amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine), Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan (doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may be less effective in combination with Halcion.
• Ultram (tramadol) - May increase the risk of oversedation, and lower the threshold for seizure.
• Valerian - Do not take this herb while taking Halcion.
• Zantac (ranitidine)

Only your doctor can determine if a medication is safe for you to use during treatment. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you should need to start taking another medication (even over the counter treatments) while you are using Halcion.

Halcion Dosages

The common recommended dose for Halcion is 0.25 mg, and not more than .5 mg daily if the lower dose is proven not to work. Elderly or ill patients may find that a dose of 0.125 mg works for them, and an amount of 0.25 mg should be the maximum dose used.

Prescription Halcion will come in one of the following forms:

• 0.125 mg: White, elliptical tablet, imprinted HALCION and 0.125
• 0.25 mg: Pale blue, elliptical tablet, scored and imprinted HALCION and 0.25

Take Halcion only when you will be able to sleep for 7-8 hours without interruption, to allow it to clear from the body. If this medication is taken when you are travelling, consuming alcohol, or do not have time to sleep, a temporary amnesia may occur for the duration of the drug's presence in the body.

Do not increase your dose of Halcion without instructions from your doctor. While this medication is not considered necessary, you run an increased risk of side effects like rebound insomnia if you miss doses or discontinue use abruptly. If you should miss a dose, do not take another one until the following night when instructed by your doctor. Do not take double doses of this medication.

Do not discontinue treatment abruptly, or without the advice of your doctor. Withdrawal symptoms may range from mild insomnia, to cramps, sweating, and tremor, depending on the length of use and dosage taken. Gradual withdrawal under the guidance of your physician is recommended.

Inform your doctor, dentist, or anesthesiologist that you are taking Halcion before any kind of surgery or medical test. This medication may interfere with certain test results. Halcion should not be combined with certain medications given during surgery.

Store Halcion away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.

Keep Halcion away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.

Halcion was designed to cause drowsiness, and may cause disorientation or temporary amnesia if you remain awake while using it. Do not take it before planning to drive or engage in any other potentially hazardous activity. Take this sedative only as you are preparing to sleep, at a time suggested by your doctor based on your usual bedtime.

Halcion and Pregnancy

While Halcion trials have not been conducted in humans, the benzodiazepine family of drugs is considered to increase the potential risk of birth defects, fetal dependency, and floppy baby syndrome after birth or while nursing. It should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.

Halcion and Children

Halcion has not been established to be a safe and effective treatment for children under 18.

Halcion and Seniors

Older adults taking Halcion are usually encouraged to start with smaller doses and limit intake to the smallest effective dose. Seniors are more likely to become too heavily sedated, experience decreased muscle coordination, an increased risk of falls, or hangover effects the next day.

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Halcion is a trademark of Pharmacia & Upjohn

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The information contained in this document is provided for educational purposes and information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician or Health professional, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor, physician or Health professional can say if a medication, a drug alternative or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.

Halcion Abstract