Hypnotic efficacy and clinical safety of midazolam in shift-workers.

The effect of 15 mg midazolam and 15 mg oxazepam compared with placebo was investigated in 12 shift-workers in a randomized cross-over sleep laboratory study with psychometric testing. Sleep latency was normal under all experimental conditions. Midazolam shortened the sleep latency, reduced the frequency of nocturnal awakenings, and increased the length of sleep stages 3 and 4. Both midazolam and oxazepam reduced the total waking time and prolonged the total sleep time. Neither of the two benzodiazepines negatively influenced performance after awakening. On the basis of these findings, midazolam would appear to be suited for the treatment of insomnia in shift-workers or of other situational sleep disturbances.