Dose-finding and premedication studies with zopiclone

The new non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, zopiclone, was investigated as a preanaesthetic medication in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy patients scheduled for minor gynaecological surgery. Initially a dose-finding study was conducted in which zopiclone 3.75 mg, 7.5, and 11.25 mg was compared with diazepam 10 mg and placebo; 7.5 mg was established as the optimum dose of zopiclone. In the main study zopiclone 7.5 mg was comparable to diazepam 10 mg at 20, 40, and 60 min after administration and more efficacious at 90 min.