THE EFFECTS OF SINGLE ACUTE THERAPEUTIC DOSES OF DEXCHLORPHENIRAMINE, ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH ALCOHOL ON HUMAN PERFORMANCE IN DRIVING-RELATEDTESTS: EXPLORATION OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PERFORMANCE IMPAIRMENT AND BLOOD CONCENTRATIONS OF DEXCHLORPHENIRAMINE AND ALCOHOL

A placebo controlled study was carried out which examined the dose- response relationships for three therapeutic doses of the antihistamine, dexchlorpheniramine (1, 2 & 4 mg), alone and in combination with a 'social' dose of alcohol (0.75 g/kg). The study was designed to examine the relationships between impairment in psychomotor tasks which examine aspects of driving skills and the concentrations of dexchlorpheniramine and alcohol in the blood. Blood samples (to establish pharmacokinetic parameters) were takenat regular intervals across the 250 minute sessions and psychomotor testing (to determine pharmacodynamic parameters) was carried out at similar time intervals. The results of this study indicate that although some individuals may be significantly impaired after a single therapeutic dose of dexchlorpheniramine (2 or 4 mg), they do not necessarily experience subjective markers of impairment, such as sedation and a perceived reduction in coordination. This is likely to pose difficulties for some drivers in recognising dexchlorpheniramine induced driving impairment. (a)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0730537889
• Corporate Authors:

  ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY (RTA). ROAD SAFETY BUREAU

  BOX 110
  ROSEBERY, NEW SOUTH WALES  Australia  2018
• Authors:
  • STARMER, G A
  • MASCORD, D J
  • DAWSON, M
  • TATTAM, B
  • VINE, J H
  • WATSON, T R
• Publication Date: 1994-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 127 p.
• Serial:
  • CONSULTANT REPORT
  • Issue Number: CR 1/94
  • Publisher: ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY (RTA). ROAD SAFETY BUREAU
  • ISSN: 1320-1212

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohols; Blood alcohol levels; Driver performance; Drivers; Drugs; Intoxication; Performance; Travelers
• ITRD Terms: 7347: Alcohol; 1553: Blood alcohol content; 1772: Driver; 2242: Drugs; 2231: Drunkenness; 2205: Skill (road user)
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00669715
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-7305-3788-9
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 23 1994 12:00AM