title: Zolpidem and zopiclone impair similarly monotonous driving performance after a single nighttime intake in aged subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although hypnotics are primarily used by older people, the residual effects the morning after a single nighttime intake of the two most commonly prescribed hypnotics, zolpidem (Zp) and zopiclone (Zc), on older middle-aged drivers have not been evaluated and compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen healthy subjects, 55 to 65 years of age, participated in this double-blind, balanced, cross-over study. Zc (7.5 mg), Zp (10 mg) and flunitrazepam (Fln) (1 mg) or a placebo was administered at each subject's home at 11.00 pm. The next morning, at 9.00 am, the subjects had to drive in a simulated monotonous driving environment for 1 h. During each morning session, two blood samples were collected, and subjective feelings of alertness were completed three times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In comparison to placebo, Zp and Zc equivalently and significantly impaired the standard deviation of lateral position, the standard deviation of speed and the number of road exits. Detectable blood concentrations were found with Zp in 11 subjects at 8.30 am and at 1.30 pm. The subjective alertness factor was significantly impaired with Zp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study revealing residual effects of Zp on driving performance in ageing drivers which are similar to that of Zc. Studying the effects of medication in different age ranges appears useful to complete the studies on behavioural-pharmacological effects of medication. To reduce the incidence of driving accidents due to prescription drugs, patients should be warned at the time of treatment initiation that they should avoid driving.
authors.affiliation: Univ Caen, UPRES EA 3917, School of Medicine, Caen, France, 14000. bocca-ml@phycog.org
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bocca
authors.forename: Sullivan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marie
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lelong-Boulouard
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bertran
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Couque
authors.forename: Tsellina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Desfemmes
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Berthelon
authors.forename: Jean-Noel
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moessinger
authors.forename: Magalie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paillet-Loilier
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coquerel
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Denise
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001334:Automobile Driving; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; D000077334:Zolpidem