Effect of temazepam on tracheobronchial mucus clearance.
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.
Hasani
A
A
Department of Thoracic Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London.
Spiteri
M A
MA
Pavia
D
D
Lopez-Vidriero
M T
MT
Agnew
J E
JE
Clarke
S W
SW
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
D013693:Temazepam