EFFECTS OF MIZOLASTINE, A NEW ANTIHISTAMINE, ON PSYCHOMOTOR PERFORMANCE AND MEMORY IN ELDERLY SUBJECTS

The effects of a single 10 mg dose of the new H-1 antihistamine mizola stine on psychomotor performance and memory in the elderly were assess ed in a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study in 15 elder ly female volunteers aged 66-77 years, using clemastine 2 mg as a posi tive control. Objective (critical flicker fusion, choice reaction time , digit symbol substitution, immediate and delayed free recall) and su bjective (linear analogue rating scales) assessments were done on each test day before the dose, then 4 and 8 h post-dose. Plasma samples we re also collected. A single oral dose of mizolastine within the range of recommended daily therapeutic dosages (10 mg) failed to induce subj ective drowsiness and produced no detrimental effects on psychomotor p erformance or on short-term and long-term memory in the elderly subjec ts. In contrast, 2 mg clemastine induced significant impairments (decr ease in critical flicker fusion, increase in recognition reaction time ) in comparison with placebo and mizolastine, although it did not impa ir memory. The pharmacokinetic profile of mizolastine in the elderly s tudy subjects was similar to that observed in healthy young volunteers . Therefore, it can be concluded that mizolastine 10 mg could be used safely in elderly out-patients as it preserves functions involved in a ctivities of daily living.