Loprazolam (HR158) and flurazepam with ethanol compared on tests of psychomotor ability

1. Twelve healthy female volunteers were given either loprazolam 1 mg, flurazepam 15 mg or placebo in conjunction with ethanol for 3 consecutive nights in a double-blind crossover study with each subject acting as her own control. 2. Neither of the test compounds, in conjunction with ethanol, showed any statistically significant impairment of performance on tests of psychomotor ability the morning following 3 nights administration. 3. Subjective evaluations of the ease of getting to sleep and the perceived quality of sleep were improved by both drugs in conjunction with ethanol. However, flurazepam with ethanol produced a greater impairment of subjects' ratings of early morning behaviour than either loprazolam or placebo taken with ethanol. 4. Subjective reports of sedation were more prevalent the morning following flurazepam and ethanol than those after loprazolam and ethanol and placebo and ethanol.