Selective adrenergic beta-2-receptor blocking drug, ICI-118.551, is effective in essential tremor.
Eighteen patients with essential tremor were treated for 2 days with a non-selective adrenergic beta-blocking drug (dl-propranolol, 80 mg X 3), a beta-2-selective blocker (ICI-118.551, 50 mg X 3) and placebo (X 3) in a randomized double blind cross-over study. Postural hand tremor was recorded with an accelerometer before administration of the drugs and at the end of each treatment period. Compared with placebo, both the beta-blocking drugs caused a statistically significant decrease in tremor intensity and they possessed approximately similar antitremor potency. Subjective benefit was reported by 12 of the 18 patients receiving ICI-118.551, 13 when on propranolol and 3 when on placebo.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017307:Xamoterol
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; C026777:ICI 118551; D017307:Xamoterol; D011433:Propranolol