Ethinamate and Methyprylone as Hypnotics: A Comparative Trial
I. C. Lodge Patch, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.M., Senior Registrar,
M. D. Eilenberg, M.B., M.R.C.P., D.P.M., Senior Registrar and
E. H. Hare, M.D., D.P.M., Physician, Bethlem Royal and The Maudsley Hospitals
ABSTRACT
By a controlled clinical trial, the hypnotic efficacy of ethinamate("Valmidate") and methyprylone ("Noludar") were compared witheach other and with butobarbitone and a placebo. The subjectswere 40 psychiatric patients and an average of 24 nights sleepper patient was objectively recorded.
The trial was dividedbetween two hospitals, with consistentresults.
Butobarbitone200 mg. was significantly more effective thanthe other drugson most of the criteria used, and this comparativeefficacywas uninfluenced by factors of age, sex or diagnosis.
Methyprylone200 mg. was more effective than the placebo, butdid not differsignificantly from ethinamate 500 mg. Ethinamate500 mg. wasnot significantly more effective than the placebo.