Halcion,Upjohn,Switz.,1978
Sedative, hypnotic.
Controlled substance (depressant).
ChEBI: Triazolam is a triazolobenzodiazepine. It has a role as a sedative.
A mixture of 1.0g (0.0031 mol) of 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-5-(o-chlorophenyl)-
2H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-thione, 0.8 g (0.0108 mol) of acetic acid hydrazide
and 40 ml of 1-butanol was heated at reflux temperature under nitrogen for
24 hours. During the first 5 hours the nitrogen was slowly bubbled through
the solution. After cooling and removing the solvent in vacuo, the product was
well mixed with water and collected on a filter, giving 0.9 g of orange solid,
melting point 210°C to 212°C. This was heated under nitrogen in an oil bath
at 250°C and then cooled, The solid was crystallized from ethyl acetate, giving
0.5 g of tan solid of melting point 215°C to 216°C (decomposition). This was
dissolved in 25 ml of 2-propanol, filtered, concentrated to10 ml and cooled,
yielding 0.46 g (43%) of tan, crystalline 8-chloro-1-methyl-6-(o_x0002_chlorophenyl)-4H-s-triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]-benzodiazepine of melting point 223°C
to 225°C.
Novoderm;Nuctane;Songarn.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Triazolam, a benzodiazepine derivative with sedative and
hypnotic activity, was introduced in 1978 for themanagement of insomnia. It is
controlled under Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention of Psychotropic Substances.
Concern regarding the psychotropic effects of triazolam was first raised in the
Netherlands in 1979 when this compound was suspended for sale and
subsequently withdrawn by the Committee for the Evaluation of Medicines on the
basis of reports of a reversible complex of symptoms including paranoia,
depersonalization, nightmares, suicidal tendency and hyperaesthesia in patients
receiving the drug. The basis for this decision was later successfully contested by
the manufacturer and the drug was reregistered in early 1990 with a revised
product information. However, concern was regenerated elsewhere that higher
doses are associated with an unacceptable incidence of unwanted effects and the
manufacturer has eventually withdrawn 0.5 mg tablets on a worldwide basis. In 1991 the issue of the safety of triazolam was again reopened by reports of
retrograde amnesia and depression among patients taking the decreased
recommended dosages. The product information has been revised by the United
States FDA to include more rigorous cautions regarding dosage. In the Member
States of the European Communities the products have been suspended pending
further review by the EC Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products.
Triazolam, 8-chloro-6-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-4H-s-triazolo[4,3-a][1,4] benzodiazepine(Halcion), has all of the characteristic benzodiazepine pharmacologicalactions. It is an ultra–short-acting hypnoticbecause it is rapidly α-hydroxylated to the 1-methyl alcohol,which is then rapidly conjugated and excreted.Consequently, it has gained popularity as sleep inducers, especiallyin elderly patients, because it causes less daytimesedation. It is metabolically inactivated primarily by hepaticand intestinal CYP3A4; therefore, coadministration withgrapefruit juice increases its peak plasma concentration by30%, leading to increased drowsiness.
