Insomnia in the Elderly: Treatment with Flurazepam Hydrochloride

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Abstract
Under sleep-laboratory control, the efficacy of flurazepam HCL (15 mg) was evaluated in 6 women (age range, 67-82 yr) with objectively verified insomnia. A 15 night, single-blind, crossover procedure was followed. Sleep records obtained during 3 placebo-baseline nights, 7 consecutive flurazepam nights and 3 placebo-withdrawal nights were evaluated by means of EEG, electro-oculographic and electromyographic criteria. A statistically significant reduction in sleep latency and total awake time and a corresponding increase in total sleep time were demonstrated during the active drug period. No evidence of diminishing effectiveness was observed during the 7 days of drug administration. For the rapid-eye-movement (REM) stage, a significant decrease in mean REM percent was noted during the drug period despite an increase in mean absolute REM time. No REM rebound occurred upon drug withdrawal. There were no significant changes in mean percentages for stages 3 and 4 during the drug period and the withdrawal period. Adverse reactions were rare (chiefly some daytime drowsiness in 2 subjects).

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