HYPAM
Triazolam 0.125mg & 0.25mg Tablets
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about HYPAM. It does not contain
all the information available on this medicine. It does not take the place of
talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks and benefits.
Your doctor has weighed the risks of using HYPAM against the benefits expected
it will have for you. If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet. You may want to read it again.
What HYPAM is used for and how it works
Your HYPAM tablets contain the active ingredient triazolam. Triazolam belongs
to a group of medicines known as benzodiazepines. They are thought to work by
changing the amounts of certain chemicals found in the brain
HYPAM is used to treat patients that have problems sleeping (insomnia). It
should be used for short-term treatment only, usually 7-10 days. Continued use
is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. The use of benzodiazepines may
lead to dependence when used long term.
Your doctor, however, may have prescribed HYPAM for another reason. Ask your
doctor if you have any questions about why HYPAM has been prescribed for you.
HYPAM is available on prescription from your doctor.
Before you take HYPAM
When you must not take it
Do not take HYPAM if:
- You are allergic to triazolam or any of other related benzodiazepine,
or - You are allergic to any of the other ingredients listed at the end of
this leaflet
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or
difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Before you take it
Tell your doctor:
- If you have allergies to any other medicines or other substances including
foods and dyes. - If you have heart or lung problems
- If you have a liver or kidney problem
- If you have or have had depression or psychosis tendencies
- If you have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse
- If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Taking other medicines
If you are taking any other medicines, including any you get without a
prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, tell your doctor
or pharmacist.
Medicines that may interfere with HYPAM include:
- Other sleeping tablets, sedatives or tranquilisers
- Medicines used to treat fungal infections eg Itraconazole, ketoconazole
etc. - Macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin, clarithromycin,
troleandomycin, used in the treatment of various infections - Cimetidine, a medicine used to treat reflux and ulcers
- Isoniazid, a medicine used to treat tuberculosis
- Medicines for depression, anxiety or mood disorders eg. Nefazdone,
sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine - Medicines used for various heart conditions eg. Diltiazem, verapamil
- HIV protease inhibitors e.g. ritonavir, used to treat HIV infection
These medicines may be affected by HYPAM or may affect how well HYPAM works.
You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take
different medicines.
Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful
with or avoid while taking HYPAM.
How to take HYPAM properly
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how much HYPAM you need to take each day. It is
important that you take HYPAM as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than
the recommended dose.
The usual starting dose of HYPAM for all patients is 0.125mg per day, taken
immediately before going to bed at night. Treatment should not continue for
longer than 7 to 10 consecutive days. A dose of 0.25mg should not be exceeded.
How long to take it
HYPAM should be used for short periods only. Continuous long-term treatment
is not recommended unless advised by your doctor. Long-term use may lead to
dependence.
If you forget a dose
If you forget a dose, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take
more than one dose at a time to make up for missed doses.
Taking your medicine at the same time each day may help you to remember to
take it regularly. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask
your pharmacist for some hints.
While you are taking HYPAM
Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are
taking HYPAM.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking HYPAM before you start any
new medicine.
Tell your doctor if you develop a skin rash or hives, or you become pregnant
while taking HYPAM.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you
are taking HYPAM.
If you are going to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are
taking HYPAM.
Do not take HYPAM to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you
to.
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same
condition as you.
HYPAM causes drowsiness and tiredness and therefore may affect how alert you
are. Even if you take HYPAM at night, you may still be drowsy or dizzy the next
day. Be careful when driving, operating machinery or performing jobs that
need you to be alert, until you are certain that HYPAM is not affecting your
performance.
Do not take HYPAM where a full night's sleep is not possible and the next day
you need to be active and functional.
Try to avoid alcohol while taking HYPAM. Drinking alcohol will affect how
well HYPAM works and can make you more sleepy, dizzy or lightheaded.
Do not stop taking HYPAM without first checking with your doctor. Stopping
this medicine suddenly may cause some unwanted effects.
Side effects
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well
while you are taking HYPAM.
All medicines can have some unwanted effects. Sometimes they are serious,
most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of
the side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they
worry you:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness
- Difficulty concentrating
These side effects are usually mild and are dose related.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Confusion, memory loss
- Visual problems
- Aggressive behaviour
- Falling (especially in the elderly)
- Hallucinations, sleep walking or confusion
- Feeling depressed
- Difficulty with coordination
- Rebound insomnia
If any of the following happen, stop taking HYPAM and tell your doctor
immediately, or go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital:
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat which may cause difficulty in
swallowing or breathing
The list of side effects mentioned above is not complete. If you should
suffer from any of these side effects or any other undesired effect please tell
your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not
experience any of them.
In case of overdose
You should only take the number of tablets that you have been told.
Immediately contact your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre
(0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the Emergency department at your nearest
hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else has
taken any HYPAM by mistake. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or
poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. Take the container of
HYPAM with you if you can.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
Storage conditions
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date shown on the label or if the
packaging shows signs of tampering.
Keep your HYPAM tablets in the container until it is time to take them.
Store below 25°C and out of reach of children. Avoid exposure to heat, light
and moisture.
Do not store HYPAM, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking HYPAM or if the tablets have passed
the expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with the remaining medicine.
Product Description
What HYPAM tablets look like
HYPAM 0.125mg tablets are flat, oval shaped, purple tablets that are marked
with "TZ" on one side and a break line on the other.
HYPAM 0.25mg tablets are flat, oval shaped, blue tablets that are marked with
a "TZ" on one side and a break line on the other.
Each HYPAM tablet contains the active ingredient, triazolam.
Both HYPAM 0.125mg and HYPAM 0.25mg tablets also contain the ingredients
lactose, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, FD & C Blue No. 2,
colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium starch glycollate and
magnesium stearate. HYPAM 0.125mg tablets also contain FD & C Red No.3 as a
colouring agent.