What about Halcion?

Abstract

Although Halcion has received a great deal of attention and scrutiny, Halcion and the other benzodiazepines have a place in the pharmacotherapy of anxiety, panic, and sleep disturbances. Obviously, any physician's prescribing practices are going to be influenced by a variety of factors, including the popular press, to some extent. However, by paying careful attention to prudent and appropriate prescribing practices, following indications and guidelines for safety, efficacy, and patient acceptance, and by prescribing Halcion with the same cautions one would prescribe any other short-acting benzodiazepine or other hypnotic, this medication can be safe, efficacious, and a useful adjunct to the treatment of insomnia. Side effects--even such rare ones as musical hallucinations--will occur, to a greater or lesser extent, as with any medication, but these can be managed by the prudent physician, taking into account the risk/benefit considerations of Halcion, or any benzodiazepine, as a physician would in prescribing any medication for any reason.