Comprehensive medication guide to Halcion including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$5–$20 copay for generic triazolam on most commercial insurance plans (Tier 1–2); most Medicare Part D plans do NOT cover benzodiazepines for insomnia — patients pay full cash price. Medicaid coverage varies by state.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$50 retail for a 30-tablet supply of generic triazolam; as low as $3.99–$11 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Brand-name Halcion is not practically available at retail pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
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Halcion is the brand name for triazolam, a prescription sleep medication approved by the FDA in 1982. It belongs to the triazolobenzodiazepine subclass of benzodiazepines — a group of medications that enhance the brain's natural calming neurotransmitter, GABA. Halcion is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, typically used for 7 to 10 days.
Triazolam is one of the fastest-acting and shortest-acting benzodiazepines available, with a half-life of only 1.5 to 5.5 hours. This ultra-short duration makes it particularly useful for sleep-onset insomnia and circadian rhythm disruptions like jet lag. Today, virtually all prescriptions are dispensed as generic triazolam rather than the original brand-name Halcion.
Halcion is a Schedule IV controlled substance under the DEA Controlled Substances Act, meaning it requires a valid prescription from a licensed DEA-registered provider and carries restrictions on refills and prescribing methods. It is not recommended for patients with a history of substance use disorder, severe respiratory disease, or those taking certain CYP3A4 inhibitors including ketoconazole and HIV protease inhibitors.
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Triazolam works by binding to GABA-A receptors in the central nervous system at the benzodiazepine binding site. This binding enhances the effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. When triazolam is present, GABA becomes significantly more effective at opening chloride ion channels in neurons, increasing cellular inhibition and slowing brain activity — producing sedation, reduced anxiety, and sleep.
Triazolam begins working within 15 to 30 minutes of oral administration, with peak plasma levels reached within 2 hours. Its short half-life of 1.5–5.5 hours means the drug is largely eliminated from the body before waking, resulting in less next-morning grogginess compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines. The initial step in triazolam's metabolism is hydroxylation by the liver enzyme CYP3A4.
In sleep laboratory studies, triazolam significantly decreases sleep latency, increases total sleep duration, and reduces nighttime awakenings. With nightly use beyond 2 weeks, tolerance develops and the drug's effectiveness on total sleep time decreases — which is why it is approved only for short-term use.
0.125 mg — tablet
Recommended starting dose for elderly patients and low body weight patients; also used when lower sedation is preferred
0.25 mg — tablet
Standard adult dose; most commonly prescribed strength; take immediately before bedtime
0.5 mg — tablet
Maximum dose; only for patients who do not respond adequately to lower doses; use lowest effective dose
Halcion (triazolam) is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026, but patients frequently encounter difficulty finding it at pharmacies — particularly at chain locations. This is due to a functional undersupply: Halcion prescriptions have declined by over 50% since 2010, so pharmacies stock very little of it. As a Schedule IV controlled substance, it also requires special compliance infrastructure that discourages casual stocking.
Independent pharmacies and hospital outpatient pharmacies are generally more reliable sources than chain pharmacies. Most pharmacies can also special-order triazolam through their wholesaler within 1–3 business days. The 0.125 mg dose is particularly hard to find compared to the 0.25 mg strength.
To find Halcion in stock near you without spending hours calling pharmacies, use medfinder — medfinder calls pharmacies in your area on your behalf to check which ones can fill your triazolam prescription. Results are sent directly to you.
Because triazolam is a Schedule IV (C-IV) controlled substance, it must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider who holds a valid DEA registration with Schedule IV prescribing authority. The provider must conduct a proper clinical evaluation before prescribing. In most states, a written or electronic prescription is required — phone-in prescriptions are generally not permitted for C-IV substances.
Healthcare providers who commonly prescribe Halcion (triazolam) include:
Telehealth availability for triazolam is limited. Under the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, prescribers generally need to conduct at least one in-person evaluation before prescribing a Schedule IV controlled substance via telehealth. Most telehealth platforms do not prescribe triazolam. Non-controlled alternatives like low-dose doxepin (Silenor) or ramelteon can be prescribed via telehealth without these restrictions.
Yes. Halcion (triazolam) is a Schedule IV (C-IV) controlled substance under the DEA Controlled Substances Act. Schedule IV means the drug has accepted medical use but carries a recognized potential for abuse and dependence that is lower than Schedule I–III substances but significant enough to require DEA registration and special prescribing rules.
As a C-IV controlled substance, triazolam: requires a written or electronic prescription (no phone-in prescriptions in most states); can only be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months in most states; cannot generally be prescribed via telehealth without a prior in-person evaluation under the Ryan Haight Act; must be stored securely; and is subject to DEA annual manufacturing quotas.
The FDA updated the benzodiazepine black box warning in September 2020 to describe the risks of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions. Physical dependence can develop with use of as few as 1–2 weeks. Patients should never stop triazolam abruptly after extended use without medical guidance, as withdrawal can be severe and life-threatening.
Most common side effects (dose-related):
Serious side effects (seek immediate medical attention):
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Temazepam (Restoril)
Most pharmacologically similar; benzodiazepine with intermediate half-life (8-15 hr); widely available as generic; FDA-approved for insomnia; ~15 mg = triazolam 0.25 mg equivalence
Zolpidem (Ambien)
Most widely prescribed sleep aid in the US; Z-drug with similar GABA mechanism; faster availability; multiple formulations (IR, CR, sublingual); generic available from $4
Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
FDA-approved for both short-term and chronic insomnia; Z-drug; half-life of 6 hours; generic available; some patients report metallic taste
Suvorexant (Belsomra) / Lemborexant (Dayvigo)
Dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs); novel mechanism with lower dependence potential; Schedule IV; no generic available; insurance coverage required for affordability
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Ketoconazole / Itraconazole
majorStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors — CONTRAINDICATED. Can dramatically increase triazolam blood levels causing profound sedation and respiratory depression.
HIV Protease Inhibitors (Ritonavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir, Saquinavir, Lopinavir)
majorStrong CYP3A4 inhibitors — CONTRAINDICATED. Cannot be used concomitantly with triazolam.
Opioid analgesics (codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine)
majorBLACK BOX WARNING. Concomitant use can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Avoid unless no alternatives exist; monitor closely.
Alcohol
majorAdditive CNS depression. Significantly increases sedation, impairs coordination, raises risk of complex sleep behaviors and respiratory depression. Do not drink while taking triazolam.
Grapefruit juice
moderateInhibits intestinal CYP3A4. Increases triazolam AUC by ~48% and peak levels by ~25%. Avoid entirely while taking triazolam.
Erythromycin / Clarithromycin
moderateModerate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Can increase triazolam exposure significantly. Consider dose reduction if combination is necessary.
Carbamazepine / Rifampin
moderateCYP3A4 inducers that decrease triazolam levels — may significantly reduce effectiveness. Avoid combination.
St. John's Wort
moderateHerbal CYP3A4 inducer that speeds triazolam metabolism and reduces effectiveness. Do not take concurrently.
Halcion (triazolam) remains a clinically effective option for short-term insomnia, particularly for patients who need help falling asleep quickly and want minimal morning grogginess. Its ultra-short half-life of 1.5–5.5 hours makes it one of the fastest-clearing sleep medications available. However, its use has declined significantly since the 1990s due to concerns about anterograde amnesia, complex sleep behaviors, and dependence — and the availability of alternatives with better safety profiles.
Patients considering Halcion should be aware of its controlled substance status, the importance of using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed, and the significant drug interactions with CYP3A4 inhibitors and CNS depressants including alcohol and opioids. Elderly patients especially should start at the lowest available dose (0.125 mg) due to increased sensitivity to adverse effects.
Finding Halcion at a pharmacy can be challenging due to its low prescription volume and controlled substance requirements. If your pharmacy is out of stock, use medfinder to locate pharmacies in your area with triazolam in stock — saving you hours of searching. medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf and delivers results directly to you.
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