Key takeaways
Triazolam (brand name: Halcion) and oxazepam (former brand name: Serax) are both benzodiazepines, but they are used for different purposes. Triazolam is primarily prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia, while oxazepam is used to manage short-term anxiety and prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Triazolam is taken once before bedtime, whereas oxazepam is taken 3 to 4 times a day. Triazolam works quickly to help you fall asleep but can cause next-day anxiety, while oxazepam helps control anxiety and withdrawal symptoms but isn't specifically for sleep. Both medications can cause drowsiness and dizziness, but triazolam has a higher risk of unusual sleep behaviors like sleep-driving. Oxazepam is considered safer for people with liver problems and can be used in certain children, unlike triazolam. Both medications carry risks of dependence, misuse, and withdrawal, and neither is recommended during pregnancy.
