| Abstract | We report seven patients with orthostatic tremor (OT) who were successfully treated with the anticonvulsant gabapentin. Five of the patients had been previously tried on clonazepam, the most commonly used drug for OT, four without any benefit. The degree of improvement perceived by the patients with gabapentin varied from 60-80% (mean 73%). The effective dose of gabapentin ranged from 300-1800 mg/day (mean 1030 mg/day). The side effects were generally mild, transient, and dose-related. Duration of response has so far ranged from 2-22 months (mean 11 months) with all patients still currently benefiting from gabapentin. We conclude that gabapentin may be an effective treatment for OT. Further trials are indicated. |
| Authors | V G Evidente, C H Adler, J N Caviness, K A Gwinn
(Affiliation: Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Arizona 85259, USA.)
|
| Journal | Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society
(Mov Disord)
Vol. 13
Issue 5
Pg. 829-31
(Sep 1998)
ISSN: 0885-3185 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 9756154
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Acetic Acids
- Amines
- Anticonvulsants
- Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
- gabapentin
|
| Topics |
- Acetic Acids
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Aged
- Amines
- Anticonvulsants
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Electromyography
(drug effects)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Isometric Contraction
(drug effects)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Musculoskeletal Equilibrium
(drug effects)
- Posture
- Tremor
(drug therapy)
- Weight-Bearing
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
|
