Pre- and postoperative use of lormetazepam.

In preoperative use, the administration of 2 mg of lormetazepam perorally to patients no doubt abnormally nervous in anticipation of a forthcoming operation has proved to be an excellent inducer of sound sleep. In postoperative use, a dose of 2 mg of lormetazepam has a positive effect compared with the placebo, both on sleep inducement and on quality and duration of sleep. However, the results of a small series of twelve patients indicate that for recently operated adults the administration of 3 mg of lormetazepam may be recommended. Indeed we believe 4 mg might not be excessive.