Abstract
A double-blind comparative study made between nitrazepam 10 and 20 mg. secobarbital 200 mg. and placebo has pointed out the sleep-inductive properties of this 1–4 benzodiazepine derivative. Answers to a questionnaire were controlled by direct observations of the sleep-induction period.
Subjective and objective data prove that nitrazepam 10 and 20 mg. and secobarbital 200 mg. shorten sleep induction. A very high negative correlation was found between the two types of data.
The hypnotic action of nitrazepam was again formed as for quality and duration of sleep. Easiness of awakening and alertness of the subject during the forenoon as well as side effects were also analyzed. The effective and well-tolerated dosage of nitrazepam is 10 mg; awakening and alertness of the subject are affected by a higher dosage.