The Effect of Nitrazepam on Manual Skill, Grip Strength, and Reaction Time with Special Reference to Subjective Evaluation of Effects on Sleep

Abstract

The effects of 5 and 10 mg oral nitrazepam doses on manual skills, grip strength and reaction time 8 h after ingestion of the drugs were studied in 34 healthy female volunteers aged 19-22 yr. A 5 mg dose of nitrazepam caused a slight but insignificant decrease in psychomotor skills. With 10 mg psychomotor skills were influenced significantly. Grip strength and reaction time were not influenced either by the 5 or 10 mg doses. The investigators corroborate the value of the established effects of nitrazepam as a hypnotic, but recommend that caution should be exercised in prescribing the drug as a hypnotic (especially in doses exceeding 5 mg) to work-aged subjects, as there is a risk of significant effects on the psychomotor skills, and the drug may cause fatigue.