Restoril vs. Halcion

See how Restoril and Halcion compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Both Restoril and Halcion are Schedule IV benzodiazepines approved only for short-term insomnia treatment, typically 7 to 10 days.

  • Restoril comes in four capsule strengths (7.5 mg to 30 mg), while Halcion offers three tablet strengths (0.125 mg to 0.5 mg).

  • Halcion's shorter half-life may ease next-day grogginess but is linked to a higher rate of memory problems, while Restoril often costs far more per month.

Restoril vs. Halcion Drug Summary

Restoril

Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine hypnotic approved for short-term treatment of insomnia. It comes as an oral capsule taken once daily at bedtime, with doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 30 mg depending on response and age.

Halcion

Halcion (triazolam) is a benzodiazepine hypnotic approved for short-term treatment of insomnia, generally limited to 7 to 10 days of use. It is taken as an oral tablet once daily at bedtime, with doses ranging from 0.125 mg to 0.5 mg.

Restoril vs. Halcion Side Effects

Restoril

Most common
Drowsiness (up to 9.1%)
Headache (up to 8.5%)
Fatigue (up to 4.8%)
Nervousness (up to 4.6%)

Halcion

Most common
Drowsiness (up to 4%)
Dizziness (up to 4%)
Light-headedness (up to 4%)
Coordination disorder (up to 4%)

Restoril vs. Halcion Dosage

Restoril

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 7.5 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 30 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Halcion

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 0.125 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 0.5 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Restoril vs. Halcion Indications

Restoril

Restoril is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia, typically for 7 to 10 days. It is not intended for long-term nightly use or for treating anxiety disorders.

  • Short-term treatment of insomnia (7-10 days)

  • Not approved for long-term or nightly use beyond 7-10 days

  • Not approved for anxiety disorders

  • Lower starting dose recommended for elderly patients

Halcion

Halcion is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, generally limited to 7 to 10 days. Longer-term nightly use without re-evaluation is not recommended.

  • Short-term treatment of insomnia (7-10 days)

  • Not approved for long-term nightly use without re-evaluation

  • Requires lowest effective dose in elderly patients

  • Contraindicated with strong CYP3A inhibitors

Restoril vs. Halcion Pros and Cons

Restoril

Restoril's intermediate half-life and four dose strengths allow for more gradual titration than Halcion, though this also means more next-day sedation risk for some patients. It typically carries a much higher monthly cost than generic Halcion.

Pros

  • Wider range of four dose strengths (7.5-30 mg) for tailored dosing

  • No specific contraindication with common CYP3A-inhibiting drugs

  • Intermediate half-life may cause less rebound insomnia than Halcion

Cons

  • Typically costs much more per month (roughly $920 to $1,270) than Halcion

  • Longer half-life may cause more next-day drowsiness than Halcion

  • Slower clearance can prolong grogginess in elderly patients

Halcion

Halcion's short half-life may reduce next-day grogginess and comes at a much lower typical monthly cost than Restoril. It carries a higher reported rate of memory-related side effects and cannot be combined with certain common medications.

Pros

  • Much lower monthly cost (roughly $20 to $65) than Restoril

  • Very short half-life may reduce next-day drowsiness

  • Rapid onset suits difficulty falling asleep quickly

Cons

  • Higher reported rate of anterograde amnesia than other hypnotics

  • Contraindicated with strong CYP3A inhibitors, limiting drug options

  • Shorter half-life linked to higher rebound insomnia risk

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