Pharmacokinetics of temazepam in geriatric patients

A single dose of temazepam 10 mg, as a solution in soft gelatin capsules, was given to 10 fasting geriatric in-patients (mean age 83 years) in a stable clinical condition. The mean peak plasma concentration was 306 ng/ml, with a median time of 0.75 h to peak concentration. Temazepam was eliminated from plasma in a biexponential manner, with a distribution phase (mean t1/2 alpha = 0.7 h) predominating for 3 h. The drug had a mean elimination half-life of 8.7 h. In a chronic study, in which temazepam 10 mg p.o. was given nightly to 13 patients, the plasma concentrations on Days 3, 5, 8, 12 and 15 were not significantly different from each other, showing rapid attainment of steady state levels and the lack of drug accumulation.