The interaction between ethanol and antihistamines. 1: Dexchlorpheniramine

Thirteen paid student volunteers (9 male, 4 female) were used in a double-blind crossover experiment to investigate the effects of a therapeutic dose of dexchlorpheniramine alone, and in combination with a social dose of ethanol on perceptual, cognitive and motor functions. Both ethanol (0.75 g/kg) and dexchlorpheniramine (4 mg/70 kg) were given orally. Although a synergistic effect of dexchlorpheniramine with ethanol was only observed in some of the tests, a delayed recovery from the effects of the combination was noted. Subjective data indicated that the sedative effects of dexchlorpheniramine were more pronounced in the presence of ethanol.