title: Zopiclone as positive control in studies examining the residual effects of hypnotic drugs on driving ability.
abstract: Zopiclone (7.5 mg) is frequently used as a positive control in studies that examine the residual effects of hypnotic drugs on driving ability and related skills. This review summarizes studies examining the effects of zopiclone, and discusses its usefulness as a comparator drug for investigations of residual effects of novel sleep medication. A literature review (Pubmed and Embase) was conducted searching for studies that tested zopiclone on driving. Cross references were checked for additional papers. Eight studies utilizing the standardized on-the-road driving test consistently showed that in the morning following bedtime administration zopiclone (7.5 mg) significantly impaired driving performance. A total of 191 healthy volunteers were tested after placebo and zopiclone (7.5 mg). Meta analyses showed no significant differences in driving performance after zopiclone (7.5 mg) between adult and elderly healthy volunteers. The combined effect size (ES) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for healthy volunteers was 0.782 (0.620, 0.944). Relative to placebo, an average increment of 3.0 cm in Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP) was observed when treated with zopiclone (7.5 mg). This deviation was higher than the increment in SDLP reported for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% (+2.4 cm). Results from driving simulators and psychometric tests are consistent with the on-road driving test results. In conclusion, zopiclone (7.5 mg) is a reliable positive control, that consistently shows significant and meaningful impairment on the on-the-road driving test.
authors: Utrecht University, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.c.verster@uu.nl
authors: Joris C
authors: JC
authors: Verster
authors: D Warren
authors: DW
authors: Spence
authors: Azmeh
authors: A
authors: Shahid
authors: Seithikurippu R
authors: SR
authors: Pandi-Perumal
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Roth
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; C515050:zopiclone