Triazolam and Temazepam: Issues and Concerns Relevant to the Army Aviation Community

The use of hypnotics in Army aviation has become an option for helping soldiers sleep in less than optimal environments and in unusual circumstances preparing for deployment to another time zone, or during high intensity combat. The choice of a hypnotic for aviator use is limited since a grounding period is needed while the medication is effective and performance may be compromised for several hours post-administration. The two hypnotics currently used by the aviation community are temazepam (Restoril) during peace time and triazolam (Halcion during war time. The resent paper briefly reviews laboratory and clinical studies of these two hypnotics. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each medication are discussed as well as the current Army policy concerning the use of such medications. Recommendations concerning studies needed to assess the effects of these medications on pilot, performance are provided. triazolam, temazepam, aviation.