Comparative pharmacokinetics of midazolam and loprazolam in healthy subjects after oral administration.

The pharmacokinetics of oral midazolam (Dormicum, 15 mg) and loprazolam (Dormonoct, 1 mg) were studied in eight healthy young volunteers in a cross-over design. Plasma concentrations of midazolam were measured with a gas chromatographic method and loprazolam concentrations were determined by a radio-receptor technique. Absorption of midazolam proceeded very rapidly (median tmax = 0.4 h) and a rapid onset of sedative action was observed. Loprazolam absorption was relatively slow (median tmax = 3 h) and its absorption profile was often irregular. Most subjects fell asleep before peak concentrations were reached. Median peak concentrations were 94 ng ml-1 and 3.1 ng ml-1 for midazolam and loprozolam, respectively. The median elimination half-life of midazolam was 1.8 h and that of loprazolam 15 h. It is possible that the elimination half-life of loprazolam as determined by radioreceptor assay is determined by active metabolites rather than by loprazolam itself. Midazolam elimination half-life was the same when determined by radioreceptor assay or by GLC. There was no significant correlation between the half-lives of the two drugs.