Glutethimide, a new nonbarbiturate hypnotic.

A new anticonvulsant, nonbarbiturate compound, Doriden (ethyl-a-phenyl-glutarimide) was studied for clinical activity as a hypnotic drug in mildly disturbed patients on the acute Psychiatric Service of Los Angeles County General Hospital. It was found to have approximately the same hypnotic activity as pentobarbital in the dosages recommended (1 gm. Doriden=200 mg. pentobarbital).