Pharmacotherapy of essential tremor : an overview of existing and upcoming agents.

Abstract

Essential tremor is one of the most common movement disorders, yet the pharmacological treatments currently available have limited efficacy, being effective in only approximately 50% of patients with this disorder. The most commonly used, and generally most effective, medications for essential tremor are propranolol and primidone, administered either as monotherapy or in combination. If these medications do not provide satisfactory control of tremor, other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, such as metoprolol or atenolol, and other antiepileptic drugs, such as topiramate or gabapentin, are often tried. In addition, benzodiazepines can be effective in some patients, particularly those with associated anxiety. There is a need for additional medications that result in greater tremor control in a larger number of patients with essential tremor. Several new drugs, including 1-octanol, sodium oxybate, dimethoxymethyl-diphenyl-barbituric acid (T-2000) and carisbamate, are currently under investigation for the treatment of essential tremor.

• Authors: Kelly E Lyons, Rajesh Pahwa
• Journal: CNS drugs (CNS Drugs) Vol. 22 Issue 12 Pg. 1037-45 ( 2008) ISSN: 1172-7047 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 18998741 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Anticonvulsants
• Drugs, Investigational
• Benzodiazepines

Topics

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Benzodiazepines (therapeutic use)
• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Drugs, Investigational (therapeutic use)
• Essential Tremor (drug therapy, therapy)
• Humans