Effect of temazepam and temazepam-ethanol on sleep.

The effects of temazepam 20 mg and temazepam 20 mg plus whisky 100 ml on sleep and performance were investigated in 5 healthy volunteers in comparison with placebo. In the sleep laboratory, after temazepam there was a trend for reduction of sleep latency, stage wake and stage 1 sleep, and for an increase in REM sleep. The addition of alcohol to the regimen reduced the sleep latency still further, and diminished REM sleep. In subjective assessments, temazepam received the highest score for quality of sleep and the temazepam/alcohol combination that for ease of falling asleep. None of the observed changes reached statistical significance. No morning hangover, as measured by effects on wakefulness, performance or affective state, was seen after the combined treatment. Its effect on blood pressure was negligible. It is concluded that the combined administration of temazepam and alcohol in the doses used here does not result in excessive additive, but in moderate pharmacological effects.