Diazepam: effects on sleep and withdrawal phenomena.
Diazepam 10 mg was evaluated in a sleep laboratory study of six insomniac subjects. The protocol, which lasted for 18 consecutive nights, including four placebo-baseline, seven drug, and seven placebo-withdrawal nights, allowed for assessment of initial and short-term drug effects, side effects, and any withdrawal effects. With initial drug use, there was a significant improvement in sleep. Further, there was little evidence of tolerance developing at the end of the 1-week drug administration period. During drug administration there was a mild degree of daytime sedation reported. After abrupt termination of diazepam, there was a moderate degree of sleep difficulty on the sixth withdrawal night when total wake time was increased by 34% above baseline (not significant). On other nights, mild withdrawal changes were noted. These findings for the short-term administration and withdrawal of diazepam contrast with those for rapidly eliminated benzodiazepine drugs. The latter are characterized by a rapid development of tolerance and more frequent and intense withdrawal sleep disturbances.
Kales
A
A
Sleep Research and Treatment Center, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey Medical Center Hershey 17033.
Soldatos
C R
CR
Bixler
E O
EO
Kales
J D
JD
Vela-Bueno
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
D003975:Diazepam