Double-blind comparison of primidone and phenobarbital in essential tremor.
In a double-blind cross-over trial, primidone was superior to both placebo and phenobarbital in reducing essential tremor in 13 patients. Phenobarbital, at a dosage yielding serum barbiturate levels greater than those seen with primidone, was not better than placebo. Thus, primidone has an effect in essential tremor independent from that of its metabolite phenobarbital.
Sasso
E
E
Institute of Neurology, University of Parma, Italy.
Perucca
E
E
Calzetti
S
S
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011324:Primidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D011324:Primidone; D010634:Phenobarbital