Mechanisms of antimotion sickness drugs.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Eight subjects, male and female, were rotated using the step method to progressively increase the speed of rotation (+2 rpm) after every 40 head movements to a maximum of 35 rpm. The end-point for motion sickness was the Graybiel Malaise III total of symptoms short of frank nausea. The drug treatments were placebo, scopolamine 0.6 mg and 1 mg, scopolamine 0.6 mg/d-amphetamine 10 mg, scopolamine 1 mg/d-amphetamine 10 mg and amphetamine 10 mg.

RESULTS:

Scopolamine increased tolerated head movements over placebo level by +81, scopolamine 1 mg + 183, d-amphetamine + 118, scopolamine 0.6/d-amphetamine + 165, and scopolamine 1 mg/d-amphetamine 10 mg + 201.

DISCUSSION:

The drugs effective in preventing motion sickness are divided into those with central acetylcholine blocking activity and those which enhance norepinephrine activity. A combination of both of these actions produces the most effective antimotion sickness medications.

CONCLUSIONS:

The balance between the acetylcholine and norepinephrine activity in the CNS appears to be responsible for motion sickness.

• Authors: C D Wood, J E Manno, M J Wood, B R Manno, H M Redetzki
• Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine (Aviat Space Environ Med) Vol. 58 Issue 9 Pt 2 Pg. A262-5 (Sep 1987) ISSN: 0095-6562 [Print] United States
• PMID: 3675502 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Scopolamine
• Promethazine
• Dimenhydrinate
• Dextroamphetamine

Topics

• Adult
• Dextroamphetamine (therapeutic use)
• Dimenhydrinate (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Motion Sickness (prevention & control)
• Placebos
• Promethazine (therapeutic use)
• Scopolamine (therapeutic use)