Temazepam 20 mg orally was compared with titrated doses of i.v. diazepam as sedation for elective upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy. The mean time from taking oral temazepam to endoscopy was 66 min, and from i.v. diazepam to endoscopy was 10 min. The endoscopists found that the sedation achieved was the same in both groups and allowed adequate examination of the upper alimentary tract. The oral presentation, avoiding the pain of injection and the possible shorter duration of action, made oral temazepam preferable to i.v. diazepam.