A comparative study between two new benzodiazepine hypnotics

Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) 2,0 mg and triazolam (Halcion) 0,5 and 1,0 mg were compared clinically as hypnotics in 120 patients the night before operation. The patients were divided into three groups of 40 each. Both substances proved to be active and resulted in the patients experiencing a better quality of sleep than normal. Triazolam 0,5 mg induced sleep in 65% of patients within 30 minutes. The corresponding figures for triazolam 1,0 mg and flunitrazepam 2,0 mg were 60% and 55%, respectively. Flunitrazepam 2,0 mg had a pronounced soporific action on the trial population and the majority of patients slept for longer than 8 hours.