A multicenter randomized crossover multiple-dose comparison study of arotinolol and propranolol in essential tremor.
BACKGROUND
A new medication is needed to treat essential tremor. Preliminary evidence suggests that arotinolol may be effective in the treatment of this disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of arotinolol and propranolol in a crossover, multiple dose comparative trial of patients with essential tremor.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-five outpatients, with essential tremor were included in the study; 161 patients completed the study. Patients were identically evaluated at eight consecutive visits. The study consisted of two treatments, which were arranged according to a crossover design that evaluated the dose of each (arotinolol 10 mg per day and propranolol 40 mg per day, arotinolol 20 mg per day and propranolol 80 mg per day, arotinolol 30 mg per day and propranolol 160 mg per day). Each course of treatment lasted 6 weeks. Major outcome evaluations consisted of a self-reported disability scale, and motor performance score obtained before drug intake and 14 days after each treatment. The treatment effects were evaluated by analysis of variance using the Hills-Armitage test.


RESULTS
Arotinolol was found to be as effective as propranolol at reducing tremor. Drug effects as evaluated using motor-task performance scores revealed that arotinolol had a more significant effect than propranolol.


CONCLUSIONS
Arotinolol may be more useful than propranolol for the treatment of essential tremor.
Lee
Kwang-Soo
KS
College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Kangnam St Mary Hospital, 505 Banpo-dong Seochu-Ku, 137-701 Seoul, South Korea. ks1007@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
Kim
Joong-Seok
JS
Kim
Jae-Woo
JW
Lee
Won-Yong
WY
Jeon
Beum-Seok
BS
Kim
Dongjae
D
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; C024523:arotinolol; D011433:Propranolol