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Triazolam syndrome in the elderly.

J F Patterson¹

¹Psychiatry Service, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia, MO 65201.

Southern Medical Journal

|November 1, 1987

Summary

Elderly patients experienced reversible delirium, automatic movement, and amnesia after taking triazolam. This highlights risks associated with short-acting benzodiazepines in older adults.

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Area of Science:

Geriatric Medicine
Clinical Pharmacology
Neuroscience

Background:

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed hypnotics for insomnia.
Triazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine with rapid elimination.
The elderly population may exhibit altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Observation:

Five elderly patients developed a distinct neurological syndrome after triazolam ingestion.
Symptoms included reversible delirium, involuntary movements, and anterograde amnesia.
These adverse events occurred despite appropriate triazolam dosing.

Findings:

Triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine hypnotic, was associated with a reversible syndrome in elderly patients.
The syndrome manifested as delirium, automatic movements, and anterograde amnesia.
These findings suggest potential neurotoxicity or idiosyncratic reactions in this demographic.

Implications:

The use of short-acting, rapidly eliminated benzodiazepines like triazolam in the elderly warrants caution.
Further research is needed to understand the specific risks and mechanisms of adverse effects in older adults.
Clinical guidelines for prescribing hypnotics to the elderly may need revision.

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