Comparison of five anxiolytic benzodiazepines on measures of psychomotor performance and sleep.

The behavioural toxicity of five anxiolytic benzodiazepines was examined in 28 volunteers who were studied in two groups of 14 subjects each. Each drug was taken nocte for 7 days, with a 4-week washout period between drugs. Assessments of psychomotor performance and sleep were made the morning following the first administration and the morning following the last administration. Comparisons of drug effect magnitudes using Cohen's d scores suggest that effects on psychological function should be considered as central to the selection and use of such compounds.