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Influence of transdermal scopolamine on motion sickness during 7 days' Exposure to heavy seas
Author(s) -
Marion W F,
Bongaerts M C M,
Christiaanse J C,
Hofkamp H G,
Ouwerkerk W
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1985.175
Subject(s) - motion sickness , transdermal , vomiting , placebo , nausea , medicine , anesthesia , scopolamine , tolerability , parasympatholytic , adverse effect , pharmacology , alternative medicine , pathology , radiology , muscarinic acetylcholine receptor , receptor
We conducted a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of transdermal scopolamine in the prevention of motion sickness (MS) aboard a frigate during 7 days of continuously moderate or heavy seas. Forty‐nine healthy sailors with a previous history of MS were randomly assigned to receive a transdermal therapeutic system of scopolamine (TTS‐S) or transdermal placebo (TD‐P). Patches were placed behind the ears at least 4 hours before departure and were removed 72 hours later. Subjects were observed on days 1 to 4 and 6. In the TTS‐S group, both subjective feeling of MS and the incidence of nausea were reduced during the first 2 days. Because of adaptation, differences in signs and symptoms of MS between subjects receiving TTS‐S and TD‐P disappeared after the second day. During the first 3 days, vomiting occurred less often in the TTS‐S group. On day 6, 3 days after removal of the patch, vomiting occurred in 23% of the TTS‐S group, probably due to delay in adaptation, but none of the subjects in the TD‐P group vomited. Concentration was not adversely influenced, since the ability to work increased in the TTS‐S group. During prolonged continuous exposure to heavy and moderate seas, 2.5 cm 2 TTS‐S discs proved to be efficacious in preventing MS, with xerostomia as a tolerable side effect and no significant ocular side effects. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) 38, 301–305; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1985.175