A double-blind comparison of two benzodiazepine hypnotics, flunitrazepam and triazolam, in general practice

A double-blind study was carried out in 312 patients seen by their general practitioner for a sleep disorder requiring hypnotic treatment to compare the efficacy and event profile of flunitrazepam and triazolam. Patients were allocated at random to receive a night-time dose of 1 mg flunitrazepam or 0.25 mg triazolam for a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 14 nights. Sleep disturbances, classified as difficulty in falling asleep, troublesome awakenings in the first or the second half of the night, and early morning awakening, were assessed on the initial and final visits and details of any events recorded. The results showed no significant difference between the two treatments with respect to efficacy and event profile and the findings are discussed in the context of the differing pharmacokinetics of the two drugs.