Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012–. Triazolam. 2017 Jan 24. 

Abstract. Triazolam is an orally available benzodiazepine used predominantly for therapy of insomnia. As with most benzodiazepines, triazolam therapy has not been associated with serum aminotransferase or alkaline phosphatase elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from triazolam has been reported but is very rare.

Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006–. Triazolam. 2023 Feb 15. 

Abstract. Because little information is available on the use of triazolam during breastfeeding, an alternate hypnotic may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Triazolam has a relatively short half-life, so occasional use while breastfeeding an older infant should pose little risk to the infant, but monitor the infant for sedation, poor feeding and poor weight gain.

Lim SW, So E, Yun HJ, Karm MH, Chang J, Lee H, Kim HJ, Seo KS. Analysis of the effect of oral midazolam and triazolam premedication before general anesthesia in patients with disabilities with difficulty in cooperation. J Dent Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Aug;18(4):245-254. doi: 10.17245/jdapm.2018.18.4.245.

Abstract. Background: When performing dental treatment under general anesthesia in adult patients who have difficulty cooperating due to intellectual disabilities, anesthesia induction may be difficult as well. In particular, patients who refuse to come into the dental office or sit in the dental chair may have to be forced to do so. However, for adult patients with a large physique, physical restraint may be difficult, while oral sedatives as premedication may be helpful. Here, a retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the effect of oral sedatives....Conclusions: With administration of oral midazolam or triazolam, general anesthesia induction without any physical restraint was possible in approximately 50% of patients, with no difference between the drugs.

Lieblich SE, Horswell B. Attenuation of anxiety in ambulatory oral surgery patients with oral triazolam. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1991 Aug;49(8):792-6; discussion 796-7. doi: 10.1016/0278-2391(91)90003-5. 

Abstract. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the preoperative administration of an oral anxiolytic agent (triazolam) is beneficial in reducing the cardiovascular response to stress and anxiety. Twelve consecutive patients, six who received the drug and six who received a placebo, were monitored from the night before surgery at home until the morning with a Holter monitor. On presentation for surgery, levels of anxiety as well as heart rate and presence of cardiac arrhythmias were determined for the two groups. Patients who received the study medication had an anxiety level on the day of surgery similar to that recorded at an earlier consultation visit, whereas the placebo group showed a tendency toward an increase in anxiety on the day of surgery. There was a significant difference for resting heart rate between the two groups at various intervals associated with the preparation for the surgery. There were no complications related to the medication and, therefore, on the basis of this study, it appears that the administration of an oral anxiolytic agent prior to the patient presenting for surgery is beneficial in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with the operation as well as in reducing some of the cardiac manifestations of this stress.

Stopperich PS, Moore PA, Finder RL, McGirl BE, Weyant RJ. Oral triazolam pretreatment for intravenous sedation. Anesth Prog. 1993;40(4):117-21. 

Abstract. This double-blind, controlled clinical trial assessed the anxiety relief provided by oral triazolam given before intravenous sedation. Twenty-two healthy adults undergoing third-molar surgery with intravenous sedation were enrolled in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 0.25 mg of triazolam p.o. or an identically appearing placebo 45 to 60 min before venipuncture. Immediately before test drug administration, subjects completed the Corah Anxiety Scale, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) assessing state anxiety, and the Interval Scale of Anxiety Response (ISAR). The VAS and ISAR were repeated immediately before venipuncture. Intravenous sedation medications consisted of fentanyl, midazolam, and methohexital. At 24 hr, assessments of the venipuncture and global experience were obtained. Results indicated that the characteristics of the triazolam and placebo patients were similar at baseline. With triazolam pretreatment, both the VAS and ISAR scores decreased significantly. Dose requirements for conscious sedation medications were decreased in the triazolam group. Patients rated the venipuncture experience significantly less unpleasant when pretreated with triazolam, and global ratings of the overall surgical experience favored triazolam. An oral-intravenous combination sedation technique using 0.25 mg of triazolam may have a significant therapeutic advantage for outpatient oral surgery.

Carter LP, Kleykamp BA, Griffiths RR, Mintzer MZ. Cognitive effects of intramuscular ketamine and oral triazolam in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2013 Mar;226(1):53-63. doi: 10.1007/s00213-012-2883-x. 

Abstract. Rationale: Several studies have documented impairments in memory processes as a result of ketamine administration; however, few studies have compared the profile of cognitive effects of ketamine to other drugs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the cognitive effects of ketamine with those of triazolam in healthy volunteers....Conclusions: Ketamine produces less cognitive impairment than triazolam at doses that produced greater subjective effects. Thus ketamine does not produce the underestimation of cognitive impairment typically seen with triazolam.

Pyeon T, Chung S, Kim I, Lee S, Jeong S. The effect of triazolam premedication on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia in general anesthesia. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2017 Jun;70(3):292-298. doi: 10.4097/kjae.2017.70.3.292. 

Abstract. Background: Benzodiazepines have been used preoperatively as part of an anesthesia regimen to attenuate the anxiety of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of oral triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia....Conclusions: Triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg reduced the hemodynamic changes associated with anxiety, produced potent amnesia, and improved patient satisfaction. We suggest that triazolam can be used effectively as anesthetic premedication in adults.