FLURAZEPAM HCL'S RESIDUAL (HANGOVER) EFFECTS UPON ACTUAL DRIVING PERFORMANCE

Flurazepam HCl is a relatively old and widely used benzodiazepine hypnotic. The long half-life of its active n-desalkyl metabolite may be responsible for residual ("hangover") effects which extend into the day following ingestion of the recommended therapeutic dose (30 mg). A year-long investigation of flurazepam's residual effect on actual automobile driving performance was undertaken in two parts: an acute experiment and a subchronic experiment. The practical relevance of the results were discussed. The major conclusions were as follows: (1) flurazepam 30 mg impairs driving performance for at least 17 hours following drug intake; (2) flurazepam's residual effect is dose-dependent; and (3) frankly unacceptable impairment can occur in some individuals. The major recommendations were as follows: (1) the recommended flurazepam dose for patients who must operate vehicles on days following night-time drug use should not exceed 15 mg; (2) patients who require a higher flurazepam dosage nightly should refrain from driving for at least a week and preferably longer, after the beginning of therapy; and (3) the occasional use of flurazepam over shorter periods by drivers should be strongly discouraged. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Groningen State Univ /Netherlands

  ,    
• Authors:
  • O'Hanlon, J F
  • De Vries, A
  • Van Arkel, A
  • Van ARKEL, A
  • Wiethoff, M
  • Meijer, T
• Publication Date: 1983-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 51 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol effects; Aptitude; Behavior; Diseases and medical conditions; Driver performance; Drivers; Driving; Drugs; Hangover; Interviewing; Medicine; Personnel performance; Speed; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Use
• Old TRIS Terms: Flurazepam
• ITRD Terms: 9001: Behaviour; 1855: Driving (veh); 2226: Driving aptitude; 2242: Drugs; 9147: Interview; 2154: Medical aspects; 5408: Speed; 6288: Test method; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389019
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute for Road Safety Research, SWOV
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM