| Sub-title | |
| Authors | T Pace J Mifsud R Cali Corleo |
| Abstract | Antihistamines are associated with drowsiness, and are commonly taken by divers to relieve ENT symptoms and prevent serious injury, especially where the diver has no intention to discontinue diving to allow the infection or allergy to subside. Few studies have been conducted to test whether antihistamines aggravate nitrogen narcosis, cognitive or motor functions due to any alteration in their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Study I was a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study, involving 50 subjects. The means of the 2 groups did not differ for diving experience, blood cell counts, liver and renal function (p<0.05). Scales used to assess the subject mood and degree of sedation did not elucidate any statistically significant differences prior to the study. Subjects were given a standard oral dose of an antihistamine (20mg cetirizine) or placebo. After 2 hours had elapsed, blood was drawn from the patients for subsequent analysis, and the subjects performed 4 different psychometric tests in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber. The tests used were selected according to their applicability in hyperbaria, and their previous use in studies assessing a drugs effect on psychomotor and cognitive functioning. The tests were performed under 4 different pressures. No significant difference in performance between the means of the drug and placebo groups was obtained (p<0.05). In Study II, a questionnaire was completed by 100 active divers to assess the drug-taking habits of divers in relation to their diving activities. Most divers continued their diving activities, despite suffering from medical conditions that would otherwise preclude diving. Preparations taken to relieve sinus congestion featured prominently among the medication taken by divers, and, that often the medication was administered quite soon before a dive. No correlation was found between diving injuries and the drug-dive interaction. Subjects taking antihistamines before a dive did not feel that their dive performance was altered. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
| Date | |
| Link to journal | |
| Key words | anti histamines, non-sedating, hyperbaric, drugs, medication |