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A double‐blind trial of isoniazid for essential tremor and other action tremors
Author(s) -
Hallett Mark,
Ravits John,
Dubinsky Richard M.,
Gillespie Marjorie M.,
Moinfar Amir
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870060310
Subject(s) - primidone , essential tremor , isoniazid , medicine , pyridoxine , pharmacology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , carbamazepine , epilepsy , psychiatry , tuberculosis , pathology
We conducted a double‐blind trial of isoniazid in 11 patients with essential tremor and four patients with other types of postural action tremor. The tremor had not been helped by beta‐blockers or primidone. Isoniazid was given in doses up to 1, 200 mg daily, together with 100 mg pyridoxine, for four weeks. Results were assessed with subjective and objective scales. Only two patients with essential tremor appeared to benefit enough to continue the drug after the trial, and only one has benefited from its long‐term use. Isoniazid may be useful in rare cases of essential tremor, but must be monitored carefully because of its toxicity.