Research: Peaceful sleep

The sleeping pill temazepam is safe and effective to use on high-altitude treks, a team led by Mary Morrell has found.

The researchers carried out a randomised double-blind trial on 33 volunteers trekking at over 5000 metres. The drug reduced periods of abnormal breathing during sleep, which occur commonly in healthy people at altitude, disrupting their sleep.

Although concern had been raised that a sleeping tablet at altitude may have side-effects, it was shown to be safe, with no ill-effects on reaction time or cognitive function.

External link

• Nickol AH et al. Temazepam at high altitude reduces periodic breathing without impairing next-day performance: a randomized cross-over double-blind study. J Sleep Res 2006;15(4):445–54.