Repeated dose comparison of nomifensine, imipramine and placebo on subjective assessments of sleep and objective measures of psychomotor performance.

Abstract

1. Nine normal subjects volunteered to participate in a randomized single‐blind crossover study of nomifensine 75 mg and two comparators, imipramine 75 mg and placebo. 2. Each volunteer received placebo for 3 d, then the first test drug for 4 days. This sequence was repeated twice more, so that each subject received each comparator. All medication was taken three times daily. 3. Assessments were made on days 3, 5 and 7 of each sequence, and consisted of a Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, a test of Critical Flicker Fusion and a measure of Complex Reaction Time (CRT). 4. There were no significant differences in the CRT. There was a significant increase in critical flicker fusion with nomifensine. 5. Although both nomifensine and imipramine disturbed the quality of sleep, only imipramine produced a hangover.