T Ahmed, M A Randhawa, M A Zia, M N Awan, N Z Malik, T A Alvi, I Shazada, T Ishaq, S Majeed, W Javaid.
Clinical Trial on Healthy Volunteers for Sedative and Antimuscarinic Effects of Some Antihistaminic Drugs.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;1(2):60-4.

A double blind, placebo controlled and randomized study was carried out on 90 normal human volunteers to compare the sedative and antimuscarinic side effects of eight antihistaminic drugs (astemizole, cetrizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, ebastine, mebhydroline promethazine and terfenadine) and placebo (calcium lactate). On each study day, an antihistaminic drag or placebo was given to a volunteer at 8 am. Digital Symbol Substitution, Manual Dexterity and Sedation on VAS (to test sedation); and Heart Rate, Size of Pupil, Near Point, Salivery Volume and Dryness of Mouth on VAS (to check antimascarinic effects) were carried out at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hour. We found that astemizole ebastine, mebhydroline were non-sedating; clemastine and cetrizine produced a little sedation, whereas promethazine, chlorpheniramine - and terfenadine were relatively more sedating. Mebhydroline & astemizole caused no : dryness of mouth; promethazine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine and ebastine produced a little dryness of mouth, where cetrizine and terfenadine produced greater dryness of mouth. The results of digital symbol Substitution and manual dexterity were upredictable due to learning behaviour.

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