Clonidine in the treatment of essential tremor

The effect of clonidine treatment (average dose 0.4 mg/day) was investigated in 10 patients with essential tremor in a double-blind placebo-controlled design. Tremor amplitude and frequency were recorded with an accelerometer. Tremor was not significantly altered by clonidine therapy. Side effects were common. It is concluded that clonidine is not effective treatment for essential tremor.