EFFECT OF CINNARIZINE IN THE PREVENTION OF SEASICKNESS

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we evaluated the effect o f two different doses of cinnarizine in the prevention of seasickness in very rough seas. We divided 95 healthy male subjects into 3 groups which received: cinnarizine 50 mg, cinnarizine 25 mg, and placebo. Sea sickness susceptibility and severity were evaluated by a standard ques tionnaire concerning the subject's condition on previous voyages (seas ickness susceptibility), and the subject's condition immediately after a 4-6-h voyage in very rough seas with 3.5 m waves (seasickness sever ity). Possible side effects of the drug were also evaluated by filling in ct further questionnaire. Of the 31 subjects who received cinnariz ine 50 mg, 65% felt better during the present voyage than on previous voyages, compared to 41% of the 32 subjects who received cinnarizine 2 5 mg and 31% of the 32 who received placebo. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between the cinnarizine 50 mg and placebo groups, while cinnarisine 25 mg was no more effective than placebo. No notabl e side effects were found for any drug group. In conclusion, cinnarizi ne 50 mg wets found to he effective in the prevention of seasickness i n rough seas.