RESEARCH ON THE PARTICULARS OF PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS DURING LONG-
TERM SPACEFLIGHT (FARMA)
Research Area: Integrated Physiology and Nutrition
Expedition(s): 2-12
Principal Investigator(s): ● Igor B. Goncharov, PhD, Institute of Medical and Biological
Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Research on the Particulars of Pharmacological Effects During Long-term Spaceflight (Farma)
provides information on absorption, distribution, and excretion of pharmaceuticals during
spaceflight. The objective is to conduct an integrated study of the mechanism of change in the
pharmacokinetics of drugs during long-term spaceflight.
EARTH BENEFITS
If a long-term (1 month or more) course of
drug therapy is necessary, a non-invasive
method for evaluating the kinetics of
pharmaceuticals makes it possible to
constantly monitor the level of the
medication in the body, thereby
determining its therapeutic efficacy. The
use of non-invasive methods for evaluating
the effectiveness of medications in order to
optimize the schedule of preventive and
therapeutic assistance and to minimize
medical risks is justified not only in
conditions of orbital and interplanetary spaceflight missions but in other extreme conditions: at
polar stations, during long-term submarine voyages, etc.
SPACE BENEFITS
The information obtained on the particulars of absorption, distribution, and excretion of the
drug make it possible to note general patterns of changes in pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics in microgravity, to determine the main tiers of disruption of these
processes, and to develop corrective measures. The results obtained must be considered when
determining a schedule of drug therapy during long-term manned spaceflights as well as for
pharmaceuticals having negative side effects complicating the ingestion of acetaminophen. The
complex, non-invasive studies performed aboard the International Space Station of the
pharmacokinetics of acetaminophen make it possible to optimize dosages and schedules of
drug therapy and to minimize medical risks when selecting non-narcotic painkiller medications
in spaceflight conditions.
Reflotron-4 set used in the Farma investigation.
Roscosmos image.