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Review
. 2013 Dec 22:5:43-55.
doi: 10.4137/JCNSD.S6561.

Pharmacotherapy of essential tremor

Peter Hedera  1 , František Cibulčík  2 , Thomas L Davis  1
Affiliations
Review

Pharmacotherapy of essential tremor

Peter Hedera et al. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis. .

Abstract

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. This has limited the development of effective pharmacotherapy. The current therapeutic armamentaria for ET represent the product of careful clinical observation rather than targeted molecular modeling. Here we review their pharmacokinetics, metabolism, dosing, and adverse effect profiles and propose a treatment algorithm. We also discuss the concept of medically refractory tremor, as therapeutic trials should be limited unless invasive therapy is contraindicated or not desired by patients.

Keywords: essential tremor; gabapentin; pathogenesis; pregabalin; primidone; propranolol; topiramate.

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