Temazepam 'Planpak': a multicentre general practice trial in planned benzodiazepine hypnotic withdrawal

A trial was carried out in 44 patients to demonstrate the efficacy of planned withdrawal of benzodiazepine hypnotics in general practice using Temazepam 'Planpak'. The withdrawal period was 6 weeks during which time the dose of temazepam was reduced every 2 weeks from 10 mg to 5 mg to 2 mg. Patients were followed up for between 3 and 6 months after withdrawal. Four patients failed to complete the withdrawal phase due to sleep disturbance. Adverse events reported were minor. Twenty-six (59%) patients were able to sleep without a hypnotic after the withdrawal phase. Patients on 10 mg temazepam on entry into the trial had a higher success rate than those on 15 mg or 20 mg nightly (p = 0.002). At follow-up 12 to 35 weeks after completion of the trial, 52% of the patients who entered were sleeping without the use of a hypnotic. A patient management plan for hypnotic withdrawal is proposed.