Persistent behavioural and electroencephalographic changes after single doses of nitrazepam and amylobarbitone sodium.

In a double-blind cross-over trial the effects of nitrazepam (5 and 10 mg.), amylobarbitone sodium (100 and 200 mg.), and placebo were compared in normal healthy young people. Though they reported a good night's sleep and adjudged themselves to be alert after all four drug treatments, behavioural tests showed their performance to be significantly impaired 13 hours after treatment with nitrazepam or amylobarbitone, and E.E.G. records showed more drowsiness and light sleep 18 hours after treatment with nitrazepam than with amylobarbitone or placebo. E.E.G. fast activity was more plentiful after drugs in either dosage than with placebo.