Lack of preference for flurazepam in normal volunteers

The reinforcing efficacy of flurazepam (15 and 30 mg) in humans was assessed using an experimental choice procedure. Twelve healthy volunteers were tested in two 3-week choice experiments, in which each dose of the drug was compared to placebo. Subjective effects of the drug (and placebo) were monitored using the Profile of Mood States and a 49-item version of the Addiction Research Center Inventory. The lower dose of flurazepam was chosen equally as often as placebo and produced no significant subjective effects. The higher dose (30 mg) was chosen significantly less often than chance, and produced typical tranquilizer-like effects (e.g., sedation). These results are consistent with previous results using other benzodiazepines such as diazepam and lorazepam, and suggest that the reinforcing efficacy of these drugs in normal volunteers is low.