1979/04/20 by Anthony Kales · 5 citations
Neuroscience · Psychology · #Sleep and Wakefulness Research #Sleep and related disorders
paper · doi:10.1001/jama.241.16.1692
openalex publication_date 1979/04/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Five benzodiazepine drugs (diazepam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam hydrochloride, nitrazepam, and triazolam) were evaluated separately in 15 sleep laboratory studies. Rebound insomnia, a worsening of sleep compared with baseline, occurred following withdrawal of triazolam, nitrazepam, and flunitrazepam after they had been given in only single, nightly doses for short periods. The rebound insomnia was attributed to the short and intermediate half-lives of these drugs. Diazepam and flurazepam, which have longer half-lives, did not cause rebound insomnia on withdrawal. Rebound insomnia may play a role in the development of hypnotic drug dependence with shorter-acting benzodiazepine drugs.