The chronic efficacy of midazolam

The chronic efficacy of midazolam 15.0 mg was studied in 2 male and 10 female subjects. Only subjects with a complaint of sleep latency insomnia which was verified by polysomnography were included in the study. Following a screening and adaptation period, subjects spent 3 consecutive nights in the laboratory during the weeks of the study. Placebo was administered 15 min before lights out on the initial 8 and final 2 nights, and midazolam for the intervening 35 nights. Midazolam significantly reduced sleep latency parameters and significantly increased total sleep time the entire 5 weeks of nightly administration. No within-night rebound insomnia, residual daytime effects, or rebound effects upon discontinuation appeared.