Side effects of triazolam in children.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the incidence of side effects occurring with three doses of orally administered triazolam in children undergoing restorative dental procedures.


METHODS
Thirty children, aged 39-81 months, participated in the study. The children were pretested for gait ataxia, amnesia, visual acuity, stereoscopic depth perception, and diplopia during a screening session. In a subsequent appointment, children received one of three triazolam dosages (0.005, 0.015, and 0.030 mg/kg) prior to dental treatment. Dosage assignment was random and double blind. Each child received a single triazolam dosage. Tests for gait ataxia, amnesia, and visual disturbances were repeated following drug administration.


RESULTS
The proportion of children experiencing ataxia, amnesia, and diplopia increased with increasing triazolam dosages. The 0.030-mg/kg triazolam dosage impaired visual acuity and stereoscopic depth perception.


CONCLUSIONS
Triazolam produces ataxia, amnesia, and diplopia in a dose-dependent manner in children.
Department of Dental Public Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
S E
SE
Coldwell
K
K
Awamura
P
P
Milgrom
K S
KS
Depner
E
E
Kaufman
K L
KL
Preston
H W
HW
Karl
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D014229:Triazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D014229:Triazolam