EFFECT OF ZOLPIDEM DURING SLEEP ON VENTILATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR VARIABLES IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

A double-blind study comparing the effect of zolpidem 10 mg, and place bo, on sleep architecture, nocturnal ventilation, cardiovascular param eters (heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures) was c arried out. Ten healthy middle-aged males took part in the study. No s ignificant differences were found between zolpidem and placebo in rela tion to sleep architecture. Mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) a nd SaO2 values (mean SaO2, time spent with SaO2 < 90%) were similar un der both conditions. The diastolic and mean blood pressure readings ta ken from REM periods which occurred during the first third of the nigh t were significantly higher with zolpidem. No changes in systolic bloo d pressure or heart rate were found with zolpidem in comparison to pla cebo.