Efficacy of Intranasal Scopolamine Gel for Motion Sickness

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA503148&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf

Efficacy of Intranasal Scopolamine Gel for Motion Sickness
Treatment in Aviation Candidates

NAMRL Technical Report 09-17

Simmons, Rita G., Phillips, Jeffrey B., and Lojewski, Renee A.

Results from preliminary studies indicate that intranasal scopolamine (INSCOP) has faster absorption, higher bioavailability and reliable therapeutic index than oral or transdermal forms. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of INSCOP for the treatment of motion-induced sickness and to estimate the rate of absorption. After completing baseline
physiolgical, biological and cognitive assessments, 16 aviation candidates were given 0.4 mg of INSCOP and a placebo and were exposed to passive Coriolis cross-coupling. After exposure to provocative motion, subjects provided iterative physiological, biological, cognitive, and subjective sleepiness assessments. Analysis indicated that INSCOP was more efficacious than placebo as a
motion sickness countermeasure during provocative motion. Analyses conducted on systolic blood pressure showed no significant effects, however, analysis of diastolic blood pressure did show significant effects after administration of INSCOP. Analysis of heart rate was significantly lower among participants in the INSCOP condition when compared to placebo. In addition, there were no significant cognitive performance or self report of sleepiness effects over time between conditions. Finally, blood concentration levels of scopolamine are provided. In conclusion, INSCOP is efficacious for the treatment of motion sickness, with no significant cognitive or sedative effects, and offers an excellent alternative for use in dynamic operational environments.