Triazolam

Halcion, Apo-Triazo, Hypam, Trilam, Novodorm

Psychoactive Class

Depressant Sedative Anxiolytic GABAergic Muscle Relaxant

Chemical Class

Triazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine of the triazolobenzodiazepine subclass,¹ primarily used as a hypnotic agent for the short-term management of insomnia.¹² It is distinguished by its notably brief half-life compared to many other benzodiazepines and does not produce active metabolites. At higher doses, it may induce significant amnesia¹ and lowered inhibitions.¹ Like all benzodiazepines, triazolam carries a risk of habit formation and dependence.¹²

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold~0.125 mg

Light0.125-0.25 mg

Moderate0.25-0.5 mg

Strong0.5-1.5 mg

Heavy1.5+ mg

Bioavailability

44%

Duration

Onset10-20 minutes

Peak1-1.5 hours

After Effects1-6 hours

Half-life

1.5-5.5 hours

Subjective Effects

The experience is dominated by rapid-onset, heavy sedation with a strong pull toward sleep, reflecting the compound's use as a short-acting hypnotic. Effects arrive quickly and resolve within a few hours, with little in the way of sensory alteration. At higher doses, lowered inhibitions and significant anterograde amnesia become prominent, and users may perform complex behaviors — particularly in combination with alcohol — that they later have no memory of.

Physical

Pronounced sedation, drowsiness, and muscle relaxation dominate the physical experience. At high doses, slurred speech and loss of motor coordination appear, progressing toward unconsciousness and respiratory depression in overdose.

Impairment

Sedation

Muscle relaxation

Cognitive

The headspace is anxiolytic and mentally blunted, with anxiety relief and disinhibition preceding sleep. Memory formation becomes unreliable at moderate to high doses, and recall of events after ingestion is often partial or absent.

Suppressions

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Triazolam acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor at the benzodiazepine binding site,¹ enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA by increasing its affinity for the receptor.¹ This promotes chloride ion conductance and neuronal hyperpolarization,³ reducing cellular excitability.³ Triazolam also interacts with the translocator protein (TSPO) as a modulator.

Pharmacokinetics

Triazolam is lipophilic and undergoes hepatic metabolism via oxidative pathways.¹ Oral bioavailability is approximately 44%, while sublingual administration achieves approximately 53%.⁴ The drug and its metabolites are excreted primarily in the urine as conjugated glucuronides,¹ with only small amounts of unmetabolized triazolam appearing in urine.¹ The two primary metabolites account for roughly 80% of urinary excretion.¹

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

AlcoholGHB/GBLOpioidsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

DiphenhydraminePCP

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

DXMKetamineMXE

TripSit

Tolerance

Full Tolerance

Tolerance to the sedative and hypnotic effects of triazolam develops with repeated use, typically within days to weeks of continuous administration. As with other benzodiazepines, tolerance to different effects may develop at varying rates, with partial but incomplete tolerance reported for certain effects such as balance and coordination impairment.

Cross Tolerance

Benzodiazepines, Other GABAergic depressants

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

Triazolam is classified as habit-forming and susceptible to misuse and abuse.¹ Its rapid onset of action and short half-life contribute to its abuse potential, though its relative obscurity compared to other fast-acting benzodiazepines limits diversion for recreational use.

Physical

High

With long-term use, triazolam is associated with tolerance and physical dependence. Discontinuation may lead to withdrawal, ranging from uncomfortable symptoms to a severe syndrome with stomach cramps, vomiting, muscle cramps, sweating, tremor, and, rarely, convulsions. Rebound insomnia may occur even after short-term, single-dose therapy.

Toxicity

Central Nervous System

Long-term use of triazolam may cause cognitive impairment, anterograde amnesia, daytime sedation, and motor incoordination;¹ residual hangover effects including psychomotor impairment may persist into the next day even after single doses.

Reproductive

Triazolam is FDA Pregnancy Category X and has the potential to cause birth defects when used during pregnancy.⁵

Psychosis Risk

Triazolam was withdrawn in the United Kingdom due to risk of psychiatric adverse drug reactions, particularly at higher dose ranges.⁶ Delirium, confusion, and amnesia have been reported.⁵ Abnormal dreams or nightmares occur rarely.⁵

Seizure Risk

Seizures are listed as a potential symptom of overdose.⁵ Withdrawal from triazolam may cause convulsions in rare cases, particularly following abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use.⁵

History & Culture

Triazolam was patented in 1970⁷ and subsequently entered the pharmaceutical market in the United States in 1982 under the brand name Halcion.⁸ The drug gained widespread clinical adoption, and by 2017 it ranked as the 289th most commonly…

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule IV)

By Country

United StatesSchedule IV

Controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (DEA Number 2887).¹² Remains available for medical prescription use. Schedule IV classification indicates accepted medical use with relatively lower abuse potential compared to more restrictive schedules.¹²

United KingdomWithdrawn

Withdrawn from the market due to concerns about psychiatric adverse drug reactions associated with its use.⁶ Unlike in other countries where it remains available, triazolam is not prescribed in the UK despite being a medically used benzodiazepine elsewhere.

References

Source Pages

Citations

Suggest an edit

Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the Triazolam article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.

Triazolam

Halcion, Apo-Triazo, Hypam, Trilam, Novodorm

Psychoactive Class

Depressant Sedative Anxiolytic GABAergic Muscle Relaxant

Chemical Class

Benzodiazepine (triazolobenzodiazepine)