Pharmacoelectroencephalographic study of brotizolam, a novel hypnotic.

The effects on the quantitative EEG and behavior of two doses (0.1 and 0.3 mg) of the novel sedative compound brotizolam were compared to those of 10 mg flurazepam and placebo in a crossover study in 11 normal men. The effects of 0.1 mg brotizolam were equivalent in intensity and duration to those of 10 mg flurazepam, while the 0.3-mg dose of brotizolam was approximately three times as active. The relative physiologic equivalence of doses of brotizolam and flurazepam is 1 to 100. In its EEG profile, brotizolam is classified as a hypnotic-sedative substance. Its suggested use is as a substitute for established benzodiazepines that have hypnotic, sedative, and anticonvulsant activities.