Abstract
Perlapine is a new hypnotic and in a pilot study of its effects on the sleep of two normal subjects 10 mg decreased intra-sleep restlessness (frequency of shifts into stage 1 sleep or wakefulness) and also decreased paradoxical sleep duration, but did not alter stages 3+4 sleep.
A more extended study consisted of a baseline week, three weeks of drug and two withdrawal weeks. Three men took 10 mg and two men 20 mg of perlapine nightly. The decrease of intra-sleep restlessness and the absence of suppression of stages 3+4 were confirmed. Time spent in drowsiness and wakefulness were reduced. Paradoxical sleep was reduced in duration, with a short-lasting rebound. The 20 mg dose appeared to increase the duration of stages 3+4 sleep in the first week.
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The study was financed by the Edinburgh University Sleep Research Fund which received a donation from Sandoz Products Ltd. Miss Allen is a Medical Research Council Research Scholar.