Double-blind comparison of zopiclone and flunitrazepam in elderly insomniacs with special focus on residual effects

Abstract
In a double-blind study of 102 patients with a mean age of 79 years, zopiclone was compared to flunitrazepam. The patients rated their sleep in a diary. There was no statistically significant difference between the relatively low dose of 5 mg zopiclone and 1 mg flunitrazepam for eleven out of the twelve variables measuring subjective sleep quality and quantity. There were no differences between the drugs as regards patients' feelings of being rested or alertness.