Comparison of the effects of astemizole/pseudoephedrine and triprolidine/pseudoephedrine on CNS activity and psychomotor function.
The sedative properties of astemizole-D and triprolidine-D were compared in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures design study comprising three experimental treatments, each with a duration of 2 days (n = 12). Sedation was assessed by continuous electroencephalographic measurement (C-EEG), intermittent performance testing and subjective measures. C-EEG monitoring revealed that triprolidine-D produced significantly more daytime sedation and drowsiness than either astemizole-D or placebo (p < 0.05). Intermittent performance testing did not reveal consistent psychomotor deficits. There were no differences from placebo; the only significant findings showed that astemizole-D improved tracking accuracy at T + 65 h (p < 0.05) compared to baseline. Also, when scores were summed across all time points, astemizole-D improved scores significantly in contrast to triprolidine-D for the total scores (p < 0.05). It is concluded that, in contrast to triprolidine-D, astemizole-D does not produce daytime drowsiness or sedation.
Stanley
N
N
Human Psychopharmacology Research Unit, University of Surrey, Milford Hospital, Godalming, UK.
Alford
C A
CA
Rombaut
N E
NE
Hindmarch
I
I
D000328:Adult; D016589:Astemizole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D014311:Triprolidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D014311:Triprolidine; D016589:Astemizole; D004809:Ephedrine