Essential tremor
Prescribing Notes
- Propranolol may be used on an ‘as required’ basis e.g. where tremor is troublesome in stressful situations e.g. social events or work engagements.
- The continued benefit of treatment with a beta blocker should be reviewed.
- Primidone may be useful for essential tremor in patients unable to take beta-blockers due to, for example, asthma, bradycardia or peripheral vascular disease, although primidone can be poorly tolerated e.g. due to somnolence.
Cautions
- Beta-blockers should usually be avoided in patients with a history of asthma, bronchospasm or a history of obstructive airways disease.