Triazolam is contraindicated in patients who have myasthenia gravis or a history of uncorrected narrow-angle glaucoma. Consequently, a decision to initiate symptomatic treatment of insomnia should only be made after the patient has been carefully evaluated. Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new abnormalities of thinking or behavior may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder. These have also been reported to occur in association with the use of triazolam. Because some of the adverse effects of triazolam appear to be dose related, it is important to use the smallest possible effective dose.
Elderly patients are especially susceptible to dose related adverse effects.
An increase in daytime anxiety has been reported for triazolam after as few as 10 days of continuous use. In some patients this may be a manifestation of interdose withdrawal. If increased daytime anxiety is observed during treatment, discontinuation of treatment may be advisable. A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of benzodiazepine hypnotics including triazolam. Other kinds of behavioral changes have also been reported, for example, bizarre behavior, agitation, hallucinations, depersonalization.