Temazepam's efficacy in patients with sleep onset insomnia.

The hypnotic efficacy of temazepam capsules (30 mg) was studied in twelve patients who had objective polysomnographic evidence of sleep onset insomnia. Patients slept in the laboratory, retiring at their usual bedtime after taking placebo or temazepam 30 min earlier, and were monitored for 8 h using standard polysomnographic techniques. Acute (nights 5-7) and chronic (nights 11-13) temazepam improved the sleep of these patients by reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep time compared to the placebo baseline (nights 2-4). No detrimental effects on daytime function the following morning were observed using questionnaires and objective tests of performance. No consistent evidence of disturbed sleep after discontinuation of treatment was obtained over three recovery nights.