title: Diphenhydramine is effective in the treatment of idiopathic dystonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) in the treatment of patients with idiopathic truncal dystonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before-and-after trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five consecutive patients with idiopathic truncal dystonia who were poorly treated with conventional pharmacotherapies. No patients were withdrawn from the trial for adverse side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatments with diphenhydramine hydrochloride (50 mg intravenously or up to 500 mg/kg orally). Follow-up for up to 20 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dystonia evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diphenhydramine therapy was associated with minimal side effects, and it was most effective in treating patients with dystonia who experienced lightning jerks. Treatment with intravenous diphenhydramine may have a predictive value on a future response to oral therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diphenhydramine should be considered a therapeutic option for idiopathic truncal dystonia with lightning jerks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandroni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: van den Noort
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D004155:Diphenhydramine