Effect of brotizolam on the averaged photopalpebral reflex in man

The photopalpebral reflex (PPR) is a useful method to assess level of arousal. Healthy males were given either brotizolam (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25 or 0.5 mg) or placebo within a double-blind, crossover design. Changes in PPR and subjective assessments were observed for 5 h after medication. Prolongation of the latencies of PPR were dose dependent, and the amplitude tended to be reduced. These effects appeared within 30 min, and lasted about 4 h. The dose-response curve of the maximum prolongation of the latencies was linear. Sleepiness and slight ataxia were observed after drug ingestion. Sleepiness was correlated with the prolongation of the PPR latencies. Brotizolam could be a potent hypnotic, with rapid onset and moderate duration of action, and it has no severe side-effects.