A comparison of cinnarizine and transdermal scopolamine for the prevention of
seasickness in naval crew: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study.
Author(s): Gil A, Nachum Z, Tal D, Shupak A.
Affiliation(s): Motion Sickness and Human Performance Laboratory, The Israel Naval Medical,
Institute, IDF Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel. gilefr@bezeqint.net
Publication date & source: 2012, Clin Neuropharmacol. , 35(1):37-9
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of transdermal
scopolamine and cinnarizine in the prevention of seasickness and their adverse
reactions.
METHODS: Seventy-six naval crew members participated in a double-blind,
randomized, crossover study. On 2 voyages, they were administered either a
transdermal scopolamine patch containing 1.5 mg scopolamine and placebo tablets
or 25-mg cinnarizine tablets and a placebo patch. Subjects completed
questionnaires for each voyage, reporting on the efficacy of the drugs, the
severity of their adverse reactions, and the preferred treatment.
RESULTS: Subjects reported the scopolamine patch to be significantly more
effective than the cinnarizine tablet (P = 0.029). A moderate to high degree of
drowsiness was attributed more frequently to cinnarizine than to the scopolamine
patch (34% and 17%, respectively; P < 0.02). Any adverse reaction, to at least a
moderate degree, was more frequent with cinnarizine (38%) than with the
scopolamine patch (22%), although the significance of this association was
borderline. A significantly greater percentage of subjects preferred transdermal
scopolamine to cinnarizine (41 vs 12%, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Higher efficacy, a lower rate of adverse reactions, and convenience
all led the participants of this study to prefer the scopolamine patch to
cinnarizine. Considering the 2 therapeutic options assessed in this study, and in
light of the findings of previous studies, it is recommended that the scopolamine
patch be used as the drug of choice for the treatment of seasickness among naval
crew in particular and probably also among all other sea travelers.
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