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FOSAZEPAM. A NEW BENZODIAZEPINE

Fosazepam (Hoechst) is structurally related to diazepam. It has a half-life of only 2 hours in man, being metabolised to its 3-hydroxy derivative (half-life, 4 hours) and desmethyl­diazepam. A new study suggests that some drug effects persist for several days after its withdrawal, indicating the action of a more long-lived metabolite. Six healthy volunteers received placebo for 1 week, then fosazepam 60mg nightly for 3 weeks, followed by placebo again for 3 weeks. Fosazepam improved subjective sleep quality but impaired feelings of morning vitality. Subjects experienced anxiety, impaired concentration and continued impairment of morning vitality when the drug was replaced by placebo. Duration of sleep increased on fosazepam, sleep was less disturbed, and there was a reduction in the duration of REM sleep and stages 3 and 4.

Allen, S. and Oswald, I.: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 3: 165 (Feb 1976)

INPHARMA 14th February, 1976 p13