paranoia or withdrawal ?

I was precribed alprazolam for sleep and it was working fine. I changed doctors and he precribed triazolam. I used it two months and all of a sudden things got bad! Is it withdrawal or paranoia ? Feel great until afternoon, then anxiety,nervousness,,jitters, stomach problems-gas,or air? bloating distended ! Isit too late to switch back to .5 Alprazolam ?

[Alison L, RPh]

Xanax (Alprazolam) and Halcion (Triazolam) are both in a drug class known as benzodiazepines and are used to treat many different conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia. Alprazolam is slower acting (onset of action seen in about 1 hour after taking the medication) and effects last for approximately 6 hours (detectable levels of the drug can stay in the body for approximately 1 week after a single dose). Triazolam has a quicker onset of action (approximately 15-30 minutes after taking the medication and effects last for about 6 hours (detectable levels of the drug can stay in the body for approximately 1 day). Because these medications are similar you are not going through withdrawal but, the medications are different in how they act in the body (in terms of time) and thus could explain your symptoms. Both of these medications have addictive properties and should not be used long term for sleep disorders. I would talk with your doctor about an alternative medication that may not have the same addictive properties and would help with your sleeping problem.