Evaluation of antimotion sickness drug side effects on performance

This project has employed a computerized pursuit meter which has a high correlation with operational performance (2) to test the principal antimotion sickness drugs. Proficiency scores on the pursuit meter task were improved over placebo scores in subjects with d-amphetamine 10 mg and 5 mg, the combination of promethazine 25 mg plus scopolamine 0.4 mg with d-amphetamine 10 mg, and the combination of scopolamine 1 mg with d-amphetamine 10 mg. Scores were not significantly different from placebo scores in tests with scopolamine 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, or 0.6 mg; marezine 50 mg; meclizine 50 mg; or dimenhydrinate 50 mg. This was also true for the combination of scopolamine 1 mg with d-amphetamine 5 mg, and that of promethazine 25 mg with d-amphetamine 10 mg. A statistically significant decrement of performance scores was seen with scopolamine 1 mg or 0.8 mg, and with promethazine 25 mg oral or 25 mg I.M. The combination of promethazine 25 mg with scopolamein 0.4 mg, and that of promethazine 25 mg oral plus 25 mg I.M. with d-amphetamine 10 mg, also gave significant decrements from placebo scores. These results indicate that selected doses and combinations of antimotion sickness drugs can be used without loss of operational proficiency.