Effect on postural sway of various benzodiazepine tranquillizers

The effects of various benzodiazepine tranquillizers (clobazam 20 mg, bromazepam 6 mg and lorazepam 2 mg) were investigated by posturography in 16 subjects in a controlled trial. Twelve received each of the three anxiolytics for 1 week in a cross-over design, four received placebo for 1 week during the three successive treatment periods. A pharmacodynamic study was carried out after the first administration, and another assessment was done after 1 week of treatment. The first administration of lorazepam caused the most marked disturbances of body sway (increase of spectral energies, length and amplitude of the stabilogram). The first administration of bromazepam was also accompanied by an increase of the posturographic parameters, although less marked. Administration of clobazam did not produce any impairment of equilibrium, indicating that it is devoid of any sedative effect measurable by posturography. No changes of the postural sway can be detected on the measurement recorded 10 h after the last dose of 1 week's treatment.