The effect of intravenous aminophylline on essential tremor.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of intravenous aminophylline (375 mg) or placebo (saline) were studied in 10 patients with benign essential tremor.


METHODS
This was a single-blind crossover study. Patients received aminophylline by i.v. infusion over 15 min or saline at least 1 week apart. Tremor was measured by a peizoresistive accelerometer at 15 min intervals predose and up to 2 h. Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured by h.p.l.c.


RESULTS
Tremor power was significantly greater following aminophylline (5.67-6.2 Hz) than placebo (5.6-5.9 Hz).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that intravenous aminophylline potentiates benign essential tremor when given acutely by the intravenous route in the doses required to achieve therapeutic benefits in asthma.
Buss
D C
DC
Department of Pharmacology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
Marshall
R W
RW
Milligan
N
N
McQueen
I
I
Compston
D A
DA
Routledge
P A
PA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood; D014202:Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline