Triazolam

Also indexed as: Anafranil®, Halcion®

Triazolam is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, and is in a family of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, a herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.	Melatonin Vinpocetine*
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.	Alcohol Grapefruit juice
Depletion or interference	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Melatonin
A preliminary study showed that taking melatonin and triazolam together produces better quality of sleep than occurs when the drug is taken alone. The results also indicated that less triazolam is needed when melatonin and triazolam are taken together, which might reduce side effects such as morning grogginess.¹ Additional research is needed to determine whether individuals taking triazolam should also take melatonin.

Vinpocetine
In a preliminary trial, an extract of periwinkle called vinpocetine was shown to produce minor improvements in short-term memory among people taking flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine.² Further study is needed to determine if vinpocetine would be a helpful adjunct to use of benzodiazepines, or triazolam specifically.

Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds

Grapefruit juice
Drinking grapefruit juice with triazolam dramatically increases the amount of drug absorbed and the amount of time it stays in the body.³ Though the clinical significance of this interaction is unknown, some people may experience increased side effects, such as morning grogginess, dizziness, and poor coordination. Therefore, people taking triazolam should probably avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit for the duration of therapy.

Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking triazolam may enhance side effects such as drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness.⁴ Consequently, people taking triazolam should avoid drinking alcohol, especially when they must stay alert.

References
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1. Ferini-Strambi L, Zucconi M, Biella G, et al. Effect of melatonin on sleep microstructure: preliminary results in healthy subjects. Sleep 1993;16:744–7..

2. Bhatti JZ, Hindmarch I. Vinpocetine effects on cognitive impairments produced by flunitrazepam. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;2:325–31.

3. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 2461–3.

4. Sifton DW, ed. Physicians’ Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 2461–3

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

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Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs

The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.

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