Triazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines, or sedative hypnotics, and is used to induce sleep. This prescribed medication has side effects including dizziness, impaired coordination, drowsiness, lightheadedness, difficulty waking from sleep and amnesia. The manufacturer Pfizer indicates that triazolam has additional side effects existing at higher dosages than medically recommended for this sleep aid. Triazolam prescribed for persons with sleep difficulties can have long-term side effects from habitual use.
Over Sedation
Triazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine hypnotic agent is prescribed for adult treatment of symptoms related to insomnia. Over sedation can occur when the medication is ingested without consideration for the grams per weight of the patient. If this medication is not ingested exactly as prescribed with specific intent to remain resting or sleeping for at least eight hours, dizziness, inability to wake from sleep, poor coordination and lightheadedness may occur. A hypnotic benzodiazepine is a central nervous system depressant, thereby causing decreases in muscle and nervous system functions, physical coordination and cognitive ability, similar to imbibing alcohol or other sedative narcotic. Triazolam requires approximately two hours for the full affect of the prescribed dose; over sedation risk increases when the patient remains active during and after this period.
Somnambulism
Physician Desk Reference.com notes that some patients have reported somnambulistic behaviors including making phone calls, eating, walking, having sex, or driving while asleep with no memory of these activities when awoken. Although Pfizer.com's product description notes that these are not common occurrences, these side effects may be potentially dangerous. Somnambulism may occur in persons under stress or trauma and are not always related to sedative narcotics. Some sleep activities can also occur from sleep disorders affected by breathing.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Triazolam is prescribed for short-term use resulting from inability to sleep and other symptoms of insomnia. Clients using this medication beyond the prescribed period or outside the recommended dosage period may experience withdrawal symptoms that include anxiety, insomnia, anorexia, headaches, irritability, hypersensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli, palpitations and tachycardia, according to Dr. Heather Ashton in a study on protracted withdrawal syndromes from benzodiazepines. This study indicates that withdrawal can occur from low, as well as increased, dosages of triazolam.
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