Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using halcion as follows:
- Halcion intake can be habit-forming and carries an abuse potential. The risk for addiction and abuse can be even higher, especially in individuals with history of substance abuse. Halcion must be used with extreme caution or avoided in such individuals, to prevent any abuse and toxic side-effects with Halcion use.
- Halcion use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in complications, such as, respiratory depression, breathing difficulties, and low BP numbers in newborn. So, halcion use should be avoided during pregnancy and in women planning to get pregnant. The possibility of one being pregnant should be explored before initiating therapy with halcion for a woman in child-bearing age group. Women in the child-bearing age group, taking halcion on a regular basis, must employ effective contraceptive measures in order to avoid getting pregnant.
- When taken together, Halcion can interact with a number of other medications and can precipitate serious reactions. Some medications, such as, oral contraceptives, some antibiotics, anti-GERD agents like omeprazole, inhibit the enzymes needed for the metabolism of Halcion. Concurrent administration of these medications with Halcion can inhibit the metabolism of halcion. Thus, halcion stays in the body for prolonged duration of time in comparison to normal and stand the risk of causing toxicity.
