Pharmacologic considerations for Shuttle astronauts

J Clin Pharmacol. 1991 Oct;31(10):931-3. doi: 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1991.tb03652.x.

Abstract

Medication usage by crewmembers in the preflight and inflight mission periods is common in the Shuttle Program. The most common medical reports for which medication is used are: space motion sickness (SMS), sleeplessness, headache, and backache. A number of medications are available in the Shuttle Medical Kit to treat these problems. Currently, astronauts test all frequently used medications before mission assignment to identify potential side-effects, problems related to performance, personal likes/dislikes, and individual therapeutic effect. However, microgravity-induced changes in drug pharmacokinetics, in combination with multiple operational factors, may significantly alter crew-member responses inflight. This article discusses those factors that may impact pharmacologic efficacy during Shuttle missions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Drug Therapy
  • Humans
  • Pharmacology*
  • Space Flight*