Driving ability following the subchronic application of lormetazepam, flurazepam and placebo

Abstract

Lormetazepam, a new benzodiazepine derivative, was investigated in a driving simulator trial and compared with placebo and flurazepam. Twelve healthy subjects participated in this double blind, crossover study. The aim of the investigation was to estimate any negative effects on traffic performance after subchronic (7 days) ingestion. The results indicated that lormetazepam, even in relatively high doses, does not significantly affect reaction times compared with placebo. Flurazepam, on the other hand, significantly prolonged the general reaction time to signals presented by the driving simulator. Driving performance was significantly better after lormetazepam than after flurazepam. The cardiovascular functions were influenced neither by the subchronic ingestion of lormetazepam nor by flurazepam.