FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-68/15

Title and Subtitle: Effects of two antihistamine containing compounds upon performance at three altitudes

Report Date: June 1968

Authors: Higgings EA, Davis AW, Fiorica V, Iampietro PF, Vaughn JA, Funkhouser GE

Abstract: In a study of 45 human subjects it was determined that a compound drug containing the antihistamine phenindamine did not statistically impair performance on a modified Mashburn coordinator. Another compound containing the antihistamine chlorpheniramine did impair performance. Performance was also impaired by increasing altitudes. The combined effects of the chlorpheniramine compound and increased altitude proved more detrimental to performance than the sum of the decrements that each influence caused when encountered separately. Although no significant performance decrement resulted from the administration of the phenindamine compound, undesirable side-effects were noted.

Key Words: Flight crews, antihistamines, performance, oxygen, PH factor, motor reactions, respiration, drugs, bosy temperature, amines

No. of Pages: 13