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Zopidone a better option for insonmia The nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic zopiclone may be

superior to the benzodiazepines triazolam and fluniu-azepam because it improves day·time well-being to greater extent, say German researchers.

They conducted a genera) practice study in which patients with insomnia were randomised to 28 days' treatment with zopiclone 7.~ mg/day (n '" 612), fluniuazepam 1 mg/day (290). triazolam 0.25 mg/day (307) or placebo (298) in a double-blind fashion.

At the end of the treatment period, 37.4% of zopiclone recipients were classified as responders in terms of both sleep quaJity and day-time well-being, compared with 30. 32.2 and 26.8% of flunitrazepam, triazolam and placebo recipients, respectively. All treatments produced marked improvements in quality of sleep. However. day-time well-being was poorly responsive to treatment and, thus, was the determining factor for the overall response rate. The response to

zopiclone was maintained for l. weeKS aner completion of the treatment course.

Adverse events occurred with a similar incidence in all groups. Biner metallic taste was reported more frequently by zopiclone recipients than those in other treatment groups. Hajd< G, a.a.bKh P. FiKlIoef W. CI aI. Zopic:IcIoe iDIpr'oYu deep quaIiry mel daytime well-beiDa in iIIlOIDIIiac pIlieI>lS: ~ willl1riazolam, ~ ud plKd». iaimUUopai Clinio;aI PI~gy 9:

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THERAPY

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