[The combined effects of oxazolam and alcohol on achievement and mood in healthy subjects].

The combined effects of oxazolam (Tranquit), a benzodiazepine, and alcohol were examined in two separate studies. 20 healthy male student subjects participated in study I. 20 mg and 60 mg of oxazolam and placebo were combined with 0.55 g/kg alcohol and alcohol placebo. There were 3-4 subjects in each of the six cells of the 3 X 2 design. 102 healthy male employees of a company participated in study II. 20 mg of oxazolam and placebo were combined with 0.55 g/kg and 0.83 g/kg alcohol and alcohol placebo. There were 17 subjects in each of the six cells of the 2 X 3 design. In both studies achievement tests and subjective tests were applied before and after 90-120 min p.a. An analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effects (pretest as covariate). The results in both studies showed definite effects of alcohol and only weak drug effects. All effects in the achievement tests pointed in a negative direction. In the few cases where alcohol and drug effects could be shown simultaneously, the effects added up in combination or the drug developed the negative effects of alcohol, which were not demonstrated under placebo alone. For the examined time of measurement the combined effects are comparable to the combined effects of other benzodiazepines.