title: Quazepam and temazepam: effects of short- and intermediate-term use and withdrawal.
abstract: Two benzodiazepine hypnotics, one with an intermediate elimination t1/2 (temazepam, 15 mg) and the other with a long t1/2 (quazepam, 15 mg), were evaluated in 22- night sleep laboratory studies. The effectiveness and side effects of these benzodiazepines were assessed during short- and intermediate term use. Subjects were also assessed for the presence of rebound insomnia after abrupt withdrawal. Quazepam, 15 mg, was significantly effective in improving sleep both with short- and intermediate-term use, but the effectiveness of temazepam was considerably less. Although temazepam was effective for maintaining sleep with short-term use, there was rapid development of tolerance for this effect with intermediate-term use. Temazepam did not produce any behavioral side effects during either drug condition. The only side effect associated with quazepam was a significant degree of daytime sleepiness. After its withdrawal, temazepam was associated with some sleep and mood disturbance on the first withdrawal night, whereas quazepam had carryover effectiveness.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kales
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Bixler
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Soldatos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vela-Bueno
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D013693:Temazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013693:Temazepam; C025130:quazepam