Halcion (triazolam) from Pfizer (🇸🇮SL)

What is HALCION?

HALCION is a prescription medicine used in adults for the short-term treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia. HALCION is usually taken for 7 to 10 days.

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HALCION is a federal controlled substance (CIV) because it contains triazolam that can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep HALCION in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away HALCION may harm others, and is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

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It is not known if HALCION is safe and effective in children.

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It is not known if HALCION is safe and effective for use longer than 2 to 3 weeks.

Do not take HALCION if you:

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are allergic to triazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in HALCION. Severe allergic reactions including swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing and throat closing have happened and may lead to death. Get medical help right away if you have an allergic reaction to HALCION. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in HALCION.

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take antifungal medicines including ketoconazole and itraconazole

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take a medicine to treat depression called nefazodone

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take medicines to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection called protease inhibitors.

Before you take HALCION, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

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have a history of depression, mood problems, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or behavior

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have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction

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have lung problems, breathing problems, or sleep apnea

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are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

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Taking HALCION late in pregnancy may cause your baby to have symptoms of sedation (breathing problems, sluggishness, low muscle tone), and/or withdrawal symptoms (jitteriness, irritability, restlessness, shaking, excessive crying, feeding problems).

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Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with HALCION.

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There is a pregnancy registry for women who take HALCION during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with HALCION, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications.

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are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if HALCION can pass through your breast milk.

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Breastfeeding during treatment with HALCION may cause your baby to have sleepiness, feeding problems, and decreased weight gain.

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Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take HALCION.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Taking HALCION with certain other medicines can cause side effects or affect how well HALCION or the other medicines work. Do not start or stop other medicines without talking to your healthcare provider.

How should I take HALCION?

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Take HALCION exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.

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Take HALCION right before you get into bed.

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Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice during treatment with HALCION.

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Call your healthcare provider if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days of treatment with HALCION. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problem.

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If you take too much HALCION, call your healthcare provider or have somebody drive you to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

What are the possible side effects of HALCION?

HALCION may cause serious side effects, including:

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See “What is the most important information I should know about HALCION?“

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Increased daytime anxiety.

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Abnormal thoughts and behavior. Symptoms include more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

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Memory loss

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HALCION can make you sleepy or dizzy and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

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Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how HALCION affects you.

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Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking HALCION without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, HALCION may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

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Worsening depression. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any thoughts of suicide or dying or worsening depression.