Double‐blind, placebo controlled, cross‐over comparison of the sedative and haemodynamic effect of single doses of clonidine and nitrazepam [proceedings]

401Pg/kg (P < 0.05), and duration of awake activity with 0.64 g/kg was greater than that with 0.16 g/kg (P < 0.01) There was a reduction in stage 1 (drowsy) sleep in the first 3 h after sleep onset latency (SOL) with 0.64 g/kg (P < 0.01), and in slow wave sleep (stages 3 + 4), in the second 3 h after SOL with 0.32 and 0.64 g/kg.All doses reduced the percentage stage 3 sleep in the first 6 h after SOL, and the two higher doses reduced the percentage stages 3 + 4 in the second 3 h interval.Small doses of alcohol (0.16 g/kg) may improve sleep with increased TST and reduced awake activity during the whole night, but, though higher doses (up to 0.64 g/kg) may improve sleep during the early part of the night, there is reduced slow wave sleep during the latter part of the night.