Clinical and computer-based assessment of long-term therapeutic efficacy of propranolol in essential tremor.

Abstract

Despite a large number of studies demonstrating the effectiveness of propranolol in relieving essential tremor (ET) the long-term therapeutic outcome of these patients remains poorly defined. The results of a one-year follow-up study in 18 patients with mild to severe ET performed by using clinical and computer-based methods of assessment indicate that the initial therapeutic benefit of propranolol is apparently retained. However, following 3-6 months of sustained treatment a proportion of patients required an increase in daily dosage of propranolol in order to maintain adequate symptomatic control of tremor, indicating a relative decrease in tremorolytic efficacy of the drug possibly due to long-term tolerance.

• Authors: S Calzetti, E Sasso, M Baratti, R Fava
• Journal: Acta neurologica Scandinavica (Acta Neurol Scand) Vol. 81 Issue 5 Pg. 392-6 (May 1990) ISSN: 0001-6314 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 2375239 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Propranolol

Topics

• Aged
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Electronic Data Processing
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Propranolol (adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Tremor (drug therapy)