A comparative study of pheniramine and lorazepam for physiological and cognitive/psychomotor task impairment

Abstract

Context: Pheniramine is being used harmfully in combination with opiates and
benzodiazepines through injecting route. Aims: The present study is an attempt to
compare the physiological and psychomotor/cognitive task performance on pheniramine
and lorazepam. Settings and Design: The study used a double blind randomly
allotted cross-over design. Materials and Methods: The doses of the drugs used
were placebo (normal saline) - 2 ml, Pheniramine maleate - 45.5 mg, Lorazepam - 2
mg. The assessments were made at base line and then at 15 min., 120 min and 240
min. The subjects were assessed for the socio-demographic profile, drug use history,
physiological parameters (pulse rate, BP, respiratory rate), and psychomotor/cognitive
tasks. Statistical Analysis used: Analysis was carried out using SPSS ver 10.0. In
between, drug comparisons were done using one-way ANOVA (multiple comparisons).
Results: Physiological and cognitive/psychomotor tasks performance did not show
any significant difference between pheniramine, lorazepam and placebo. Conclusions:
The findings suggest the pheniramine and lorazepam have comparable impairment on
physiological and cognitive/psychomotor task performance.