Abstract | OBJECTIVE:
Space motion sickness is currently treated pharmacologically with the empiric use of the H1 antihistamine promethazine, but use of this intervention is limited by the side effect of significant sedation. This creates a dilemma, as full cognition is particularly important during the same conditions likely to exacerbate the symptoms of space motion sickness. Using overstimulation of the semicircular canals with a rotary chair as a paradigm for space motion sickness, we evaluated four medications, commonly used for the treatment of terrestrial motion sickness and vertigo, for their efficacy in alleviating the simulated symptoms of space motion sickness. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, double-blind study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Healthy male and female volunteers, 18 years of age or older, without history of neurologic or psychiatric disorders, and with no known allergies or any previous adverse reactions to the drugs used. INTERVENTIONS: MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The ability of each treatment to control the nausea and vomiting associated with our paradigm for space motion sickness was evaluated by measuring time of rotation pre- and posttreatment and time of symptom onset pre-and posttreatment. RESULTS: Only scopolamine effected a mean change in duration of rotation that reached statistical significance when compared with placebo (p <0.008), with a greater than 40% increase in rotation time. Results with promethazine were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | John Dornhoffer, John J Chelonis, Donna Blake |
Journal | Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
(Otol Neurotol)
Vol. 25
Issue 5
Pg. 740-5
(Sep 2004)
ISSN: 1531-7129 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15354005
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- GABA Modulators
- Histamine H1 Antagonists
- Muscarinic Antagonists
- Meclizine
- Scopolamine
- Promethazine
- Lorazepam
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- GABA Modulators
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Histamine H1 Antagonists
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Lorazepam
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Male
- Meclizine
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Muscarinic Antagonists
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Promethazine
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Scopolamine
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Semicircular Canals
(drug effects)
- Space Motion Sickness
(drug therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
- Vestibular Function Tests
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