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The effect of temazepam on melatonin secretion and light sensitivity

N H Allen1, P J Smythe, N Martin

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton, Hants SO9 4PE.

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|February 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Temazepam, a short-acting hypnotic, does not affect melatonin secretion timing or light sensitivity. This finding indicates temazepam is suitable for studies measuring circadian rhythm and light responses.

Area of Science:

  • Chronobiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Melatonin secretion is a key marker for circadian rhythms.
  • Light exposure significantly influences melatonin production and timing.
  • Benzodiazepines are commonly used hypnotics, but their effects on circadian markers are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of temazepam on melatonin secretion and light sensitivity.
  • To determine if temazepam confounds measurements of circadian phase and photic melatonin suppression.

Main Methods:

  • Seven healthy males received 20 mg of temazepam daily for seven days.
  • Melatonin onset, peak, total secretion, and light sensitivity were measured before and after treatment.
  • Full-spectrum light was used to assess melatonin suppression.

Main Results:

  • Temazepam treatment did not alter the dim light melatonin onset (DLMO).
  • No significant changes were observed in total melatonin secretion.
  • The sensitivity of melatonin secretion to light suppression remained unaffected.

Conclusions:

  • Short-term temazepam use does not interfere with circadian melatonin phase.
  • Temazepam does not confound the assessment of light sensitivity in melatonin suppression tests.
  • These findings support the use of temazepam in research involving circadian rhythm and light sensitivity studies.

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