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Bioavailability and Performance Effects of Promethazine During Space Flight (PMZ)
06.27.08

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Bioavailablity and Performance Effects of Promethazine During Spaceflight (PMZ) will examine the performance-impacting side-effects of promethazine and its bioavailability, the degree to which a drug can be absorbed and used by the parts of the body on which it is intended to have an effect. Promethazine is a medication taken by astronauts to prevent motion sickness.

Principal Investigator

  • Lakshmi Putcha, Ph.D., Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

    No Information Available

    Payload Developer

    Johnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |11|13|15|16|

    Previous ISS Missions

    This experiment began in 2001 and has flown on five shuttle missions.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Promethazine (PMZ) is used to treat space motion sickness (SMS) during Shuttle missions. However, side effects associated with PMZ when used on Earth include dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, and impaired psychomotor performance, which could impact crew performance or mission operations. Early anecdotal reports from crewmembers indicate that these central nervous system side effects of PMZ are absent or greatly reduced in microgravity.


    • Therefore, systematic evaluation of PMZ bioavailability, effects on performance, side effects, and efficacy in the treatment of SMS are essential for determining optimal dosage and route of administration of PMZ during space flight.

    Description

    Promethazine (PMZ) is a drug that is used for the treatment of space motion sickness for the Space Shuttle astronauts. This experiment will measure how much of the medication is absorbed and available to the body after taking it and to estimate the intensity of drug-related side effects that may affect performance of astronauts during space flights. This experiment has two sessions, a ground-based and an in-flight session. The in-flight session will involve astronauts that take Promethazine for motion sickness. This study will use Actiwatches to monitor sleep and activity, saliva samples to measure drug levels in the body and Karolinska Sleepiness Score (KSS) to estimate sleepiness side effects. These data will be collected during flight and repeated after return in astronauts that used Promethazine during flight. The post-flight data are collected after 30 days after return from space flight. Results from this study will be used to determine how Promethazine is handled by the body and how severe are the performance impacting side effects of the drug on-orbit and on Earth.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    This study will lead to a better understanding of how Promethazine is handled by the body in space. This will also help determine the side effects of Promethazine. By understanding these aspects of Promethazine, scientists will be able to optimize treatment of motion sickness in space and on the ground with Promethazine.

    Earth Applications

    This study may lead to more effective treatment for motion sickness.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    All astronauts onboard the Space Shuttle will wear an Actiwatch to monitor sleep activity. This monitor will be worn throughout the entire mission. For astronauts who elect to use Promethazine (PMZ) for space motion sickness, 8 saliva samples will be collected at specific time intervals and Karolinska Sleepiness Score (KSS) will be recorded at collection times. Saliva collection kits will be used. Thirty days after return to Earth, crewmembers that took PMZ during flight will repeat the protocol for the ground session. The round session will involve astronauts wearing the Actiwatch activity monitors, collecting 8 saliva samples, and completing KSS at saliva sampling times.

    Operational Protocols

    All astronauts participating in the PMZ investigation will wear an Actiwatch to monitor sleep activity throughout the entire mission. For astronauts who elect to use Promethazine (PMZ) for space motion sickness, 8 saliva samples will be collected at specific time intervals and Karolinska Sleepiness Score (KSS) will be recorded at collection times. Saliva collection kits will be used. Thirty days after return to Earth, crewmembers that took PMZ during flight will repeat the protocol for the ground session. The ground session will involve astronauts wearing the Actiwatch activity monitors, collecting 8 saliva samples, and completing KSS at saliva sampling times.

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    Results/More Information

    No Information Available

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    Related Web Sites

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageThe pack shown here contains the vials that will be used to collect saliva samples and to record the participating crew members' Karolinska Sleepiness Score (KSS). Image courtesy of NASA.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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