THE EFFECT OF TEMAZEPAM ON MELATONIN SECRETION AND LIGHT SENSITIVITY

Seven healthy male volunteers had their light sensitivity (melatonin s uppression) and melatonin phase measured before and after treatment wi th temazepam (20 mg) for 7 days. Temazepam did not alter the circadian phase of melatonin secretion (the Dim Light Melatonin Onset, the timi ng of the peak of secretion), the total melatonin secretion nor the se nsitivity of melatonin secretion to suppression by full spectrum light . This is an important negative finding which suggests that the short half-life benzodiazepine hypnotic temazepam does not confound tests of light sensitivity or melatonin phase.