Evaluation of the efficacy of metaclazepam and its effects on sleep, psychomotor performance and cognitive function in anxious patients

✍ Scribed by E. Ponciano; Z. Shamsi; A. F. Da Fonscca; D. B. Fairweather; I. Hindmarch

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 137 KB
• Volume: 13
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6222
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1077(199806)13:4<247::aid-hup989>3.0.co;2-r

✦ Synopsis

The eects of single and multiple doses of metaclazepam were investigated in 60 anxious patients. A 15 mg nocturnal dose of metaclazepam was compared to two daily doses (5 mg in the morning and 10 mg at bedtime) in terms of ecacy and eects on various aspects of sleep, cognitive function and psychomotor performance. Anxiolytic ecacy was assessed by means of questionnaires, including the Self Rating Anxiety Scale of Zung, State Trait Anxiety Inventory of Spielberger, and a modi®ed version of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Hypnotic activity was evaluated using a clinical rating of insomnia questionnaire. The psychometric battery consisted of tests of Critical Flicker Fusion, Choice Reaction Time and Digit Span. In terms of clinical ecacy, metaclazepam administered in either dosage regimen demonstrated a good anxiolytic activity pro®le. Both dosage regimens were eective in improving the quality and quantity of sleep, however the number of intermittent awakenings were signi®cantly higher with the daily divided dose. In addition, the nocturnal administration of metaclazepam did not appear to be associated with any undesirable side eects or decrements in psychomotor performance the following morning. In conclusion, it appears that a 15 mg bedtime dose of metaclazepam is ecacious in relieving anxiety without impairing psychomotor performance the following morning.