A NEW DESIGN OF TRIAL FOR HYPNOTICS COMPARISON - A DOUBLE-BLIND CROSS-OVER TRIAL WITH PATIENTS PREFERENCE ASSESSMENT AND CONTINUATION OF THE PREFERRED TREATMENT

1. This study compared two hypnotics administrated at comparable thera peutic dosages: triazolam (0.25 mg) and loprazolam (1 mg), were admini stered using an original scheme (cross-over on the first 2 nights, and continuation of the preferred treatment or new randomization). 2. Six ty-seven outpatients complaining of common insomnia participated in th is study conducted by general practitioners. 3. Both drugs provided im provement in sleep quality (decreased sleep latency, increased total d uration of sleep, decreased number of night awakenings),and are equall y well tolerated. 4. For the first 2 nights, triazolam was evaluated t o be more efficient than loprazolam (p < 0.001), and patients felt mor e rested the following day (p < 0.01) with the former drug. Moreover, triazolam is more frequently preferred than loprazolam by 47.7% and 29 .2%, respectively, (p = 0.09). 5. No interaction was found between tre atment and order of administration or specific effects and order of ad ministration.