title: Effect of temazepam on tracheobronchial mucus clearance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tracheobronchial clearance of mucus from the lungs is reduced during sleep and, usually, by the administration of opiates. It seemed possible therefore that temazepam, a widely used potent benzodiazepine, retarded clearance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of 10 mg temazepam on mucociliary clearance was studied in eight healthy volunteers, aged 18-50 (mean 30) years, in a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, cross-over study. Six subjects were female and two male. Six were non-smokers and two were light current smokers. Clearance was assessed from the change in radio-activity in the lungs after inhalation of 5 microns diameter polystyrene particles, labelled with technetium-99m, under controlled conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tracheobronchial clearance was reduced by 22% after temazepam by comparison with placebo during the first three hours after drug ingestion; this is the period when circulating drug concentrations are highest.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Temazepam should be prescribed with caution in patients with impaired lung mucociliary transport.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasani
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Spiteri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavia
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lopez-Vidriero
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Agnew
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013693:Temazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D013693:Temazepam