mu-Opiate receptor agonists -- a new pharmacological approach to prevent motion sickness?
OBJECTIVE
Stress hormones might be involved in motion sickness. The influence of loperamide on kinetosis-induced nausea and stress hormone release was investigated in a placebo-controlled, cross-over study.


METHODS
Standardized rotation around the vertical axis combined with head movements was used to induce nausea 3 h after 16 mg loperamide or placebo (n = 8). Plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and nausea ratings were investigated.


RESULTS
After loperamide nausea was significantly lower (P < 0.02). ACTH (P < 0.05) and ADH levels (P < 0.02) increased significantly in both settings, but were lower after loperamide.


CONCLUSIONS
The susceptibility to develop kinetosis-induced nausea and stress hormone release is decreased by loperamide, although the site of action remains speculative.
Otto
Bärbel
B
Department of Internal Medicine, Innenstadt, University Hospital, Munich, Germany. baerbel.otto@med.uni-muenchen.de
Riepl
Rudolf L
RL
Otto
Carsten
C
Klose
Joachim
J
Enck
Paul
P
Klosterhalfen
Sibylle
S
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008139:Loperamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009041:Motion Sickness / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009325:Nausea / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000819:agonists*; D012399:Rotation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000097:blood
D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D014667:Vasopressins; D008139:Loperamide; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone