Comparative Hypnotic Effects of Flurazepam, Triazolam, and Placebo: A Reanalysis

摘要

A recent study examined the effects of 30 mg flurazepam, 0.5 mg triazolam, and a placebo in 21 chronic insomniacs who were studied over 59 nights in a parallel groups design. This reanalysis made additional comparisons in addition to reevaluating those previously reported to gain new insights as to the action of these two hypnotics. Upon reanalysis the between- and within-group results indicate similar efficacy for improvement in sleep, especially during the early weeks of treatment. The placebo had no consistent impact on any of the sleep variables and showed greater night to night variability. Triazolam patients showed a marked increase in sleep latency during the first two withdrawal nights. For these patients, however, there was no rebound in awake time after sleep onset. The flurazepam patient's withdrawal sleep was not statistically different from the placebo group or from their own baseline. In contrast to triazolam patients, flurzepam patients' poor sleep, when present, occurred throughout the withdrawal period with no clustering on one or more mights. There was no clear relationship between plasma N-desalkyflu-razepam level during treatment or elimination rate during withdrawal to sleep measures.