Pharmacokinetics of temazepam compared with other benzodiazepine hypnotics--some clinical consequences

When the various benzodiazepine hypnotics are studied, large differences are seen with regard to their pharmacokinetic properties and metabolism in man. Some are eliminated from the body at a relatively slow rate (e.g. nitrazepam), others are metabolized rather rapidly (temazepam, triazolam). Some benzodiazepine hypnotics have major active metabolites that are slowly eliminated (flurazepam, quazepam), while others have non-active metabolites (temazepam, lormetazepam). In hypnotic treatment, the duration of drug action should be restricted to the duration of the night, hence a compound with a relatively short elimination half-life may represent a more rational choice. An overview is given of the pharmacokinetics of the currently available benzodiazepine hypnotics with emphasis on temazepam and other hydroxylated benzodiazepines.