Comparison of triazolam and methyprylon as a hypnotic in insomniacs

The hypnotic effect of a new triazolobenzodiazepine, triazolam (0.5 mg) and methyprylon was compared in 30 outpatient volunteers with insomnia using the preference technique. On the first night of the 2 night trial, triazolam or methyprylon was given on a double-blind basis and on the 2nd night the outpatients received the alternate medication. Following each trial night the patients were interviewed in regard to their sleep. Of the 28 patients who completed the study, 21 patients preferred triazolam, 5 preferred methyprylon and 2 had no preference (p = 0.001). Analysis of the various sleep parameters showed that triazolam helped the patients sleep more than methyprylon (p = 0.026), there were fewer awakenings on triazolam (p = 0.064), a longer duration of sleep (p = 0.064) and a better feeling in the a.m. (p = 0.020). The sleep onset was the same after both medications. The number and severity of the side effects was considerably higher after methyprylon.