Experts update guidelines for treating essential tremor
About 10 million people in the United States have essential tremor (ET), a movement disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking of the hands and often the head as well, and sometimes a quavering voice. ET is an action tremor, meaning that the shaking is largely absent when you're at rest but increases when you try to use your hands — for example, to pick up a cup or use a fork. (ET is sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's disease, in which it's the other way around: the tremor is noticeable during rest and stops with activity.)
Both the 2005 guidelines and the update recommend the antiseizure drug primidone (Mysoline) and the blood pressure drug propranolol (Inderal) as the most effective medications for hand and arm tremor (see the table).
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
