ZOPICLONES RESIDUAL EFFECTS ON PSYCHOMOTOR AND INFORMATION-PROCESSINGSKILLS INVOLVED IN COMPLEX TASKS SUCH AS CAR DRIVING - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

Before and after its introduction in 1987, zopiclone was the object of investigation in 16 psychometric studies employing both healthy volun teers and insomniac patients. Their common purpose was to determine wh ether nocturnal doses (usually the standard 7.5 mg) possess residual s edative effects that interfere with skilled safety-relevant performanc e, such as car driving, over the following day. Most studies have foun d no residual effects. Those that did, have shown them to be modest in magnitude and not to persist for longer than about 12 hours from the time of dosage. Without altering the general conclusion that zopiclone possesses few if any residual effects of clinical relevance, it must be said that the studies reviewed failed to meet current methodologica l standards and may have left some important questions unanswered.