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Alprazolam for essential tremor.

Elisa Bruno1, Alessandra Nicoletti, Graziella Quattrocchi

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|December 7, 2015
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Alprazolam may reduce essential tremor (ET) severity, but evidence is limited. High rates of adverse events like sedation were observed, necessitating further research into its safety and efficacy for ET.

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Movement Disorders

Background:

  • Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder with limited treatment options.
  • Current treatments like primidone and propranolol are ineffective for many patients and can cause adverse events.
  • Alprazolam is a potential alternative, but its efficacy and safety in ET are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the efficacy and safety of alprazolam for treating essential tremor (ET).
  • To evaluate the impact of alprazolam on the quality of life in individuals with ET.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases (e.g., CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE) and clinical trial registries.
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing alprazolam to placebo or other treatments for ET were included.
  • Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

  • One low-quality RCT with 24 participants was included, comparing alprazolam to placebo.
  • Alprazolam significantly reduced tremor severity compared to placebo (MD -0.75, 95% CI -0.83 to -0.67).
  • Adverse events were common, with 75% of alprazolam recipients experiencing sedation, constipation, or dry mouth.

Conclusions:

  • Available data are insufficient to definitively assess alprazolam's efficacy and safety for essential tremor.
  • Further high-quality research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings and evaluate long-term outcomes.