Long-term hypnotic efficacy and safety of triazolam and flurazepam

Both triazolam and flurazepam are effective hypnotics when administered nightly for 12 consecutive weeks. However, at the dosages tested, 0.6 mg triazolam had a significantly faster onset of activity than 30 mg flurazepam. Long-term administration of either treatment did not influence the patient's capability to recognize the difference between active drug and placebo. This supports the conclusion that there was no tolerance development on either treatment. There were no deleterious effects attributable to either treatment as measured by the 35-Item Hopkins Symptom Checklist or by physical examinations, laboratory tests, ECGs, and ophthalmologic examinations. Side effects occurred more often on flurazepam than on triazolam, and the number of patients experiencing side effects was significantly higher in the flurazepam group. Drowsiness and grogginess were reported most frequently on both treatments, and the number of patients reporting drowsiness or grogginess was also significantly higher in the flurazepam group.