CINNARIZINE IN THE PROPHYLAXIS OF SEASICKNESS - LABORATORY VESTIBULAREVALUATION AND SEA STUDY

Cinnarizine was evaluated for the prevention of seasickness in a labor atory and sea study. The effects of 25 mg cinnarizine on the vestibule -ocular reflex were investigated in 13 subjects. Significant reduction of the gain in response to sinusoidal oscillations at 0.02, 0.08, and 0.16 Hz (p < 0.05) and increased phase lead at 0.16 Hz (p < 0.01) wer e observed. The effect of 25 and 50 mg cinnarizine on seasickness seve rity was examined in 95 subjects during a voyage in rough seas. Seasic kness symptoms were improved in 69% of the subjects by 50 mg cinnarizi ne versus 35% and 31% in the groups receiving 25 mg cinnarizine and pl acebo (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The percentage of vomitin g protection provided by 50 mg cinnarizine was 63% (p < 0.05). We conc lude that 50 mg cinnarizine is an effective drug for the prevention of seasickness. The reduction in vestibular sensitivity observed even af ter administration of 25 mg cinnarizine may explain the potency of cin narizine in the prevention of seasickness.