flunarizine and Tremor

We studied the effects of flunarizine (Fz) in 10 patients with moderate to severe essential tremor. Tremor was evaluated after 6 weeks of treatment using patient and physician assessment as well as blinded video analysis. Only one patient had mild subjective transient improvement and three experienced worsening of tremor. No patient elected to remain on Fz. We conclude that Fz is ineffective for moderate to severe essential tremor and may actually worsen the symptoms in some patients.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Tremor

We investigated the effect of flunarizine treatment (10 mg/d) in 17 subjects with essential tremor in a double-blind placebo-controlled design. Tremor was assessed by clinical scoring, tremographic recordings, and subjective rating by subjects. Of the 15 subjects who completed the study, 13 showed improvement. We conclude that flunarizine is effective treatment for essential tremor.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Flunarizine; Hand; Head; Humans; Leg; Male; Middle Aged; Placebos; Tremor

We performed a clinical report based, descriptive and retrospective study, aimed at comparing Flunarizine/Cinnarizine-induced parkinsonism (FCIP) patients and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The FCIP group (n = 30) presented a lower frequency of rigidity and unilateral tremor than the PD group (n = 70). All FCIP patients improved, 13 after dopaminergic treatment. FCIP patients who improved spontaneously presented lower frequency of rigidity, compared with the other FCIP subgroup and PD group. FCIP patients who did not improve spontaneously showed a clinical pattern similar to PD patients.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cinnarizine; Dopamine Agonists; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Rigidity; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Retrospective Studies; Statistics, Nonparametric; Treatment Outcome; Tremor

Effects of beta-blockers (propranolol, arotinolol and nipradilol) and a Ca2+ channel blocker (nicardipine) on oxotremorine-induced tremor were studied in common marmosets. Generalized tremor was elicited by an intraperitoneal administration of 0.25 mg/kg oxotremorine. Intensity of the tremor was classified into 7 degrees, and it was evaluated every 10 min. The total intensity of oxotremorine-induced tremor for each drug was expressed as "points", which were the sum of tremor intensity scores evaluated every 10 min up to 190 min following the administration of oxotremorine. Beta-blockers significantly suppressed the tremor. On the other hand, the Ca2+ channel blocker exacerbated the tremor.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Animals; Calcium Channel Blockers; Callithrix; Flunarizine; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Muscarinic Agonists; Nicardipine; Nimodipine; Oxotremorine; Tremor

Topics: Adolescent; Anticonvulsants; Calcium Channel Blockers; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electromyography; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Myoclonus; Palate, Soft; Tremor

We investigated the effect of long-term treatment of essential tremor (ET) with flunarizine (Fz) (10 mg/day) in 17 subjects who had a favorable response to 1 month of treatment. Side effects (dystonia, parkinsonism, weight gain and depression) occurred in 29.4% (5/17) of patients, leading to drug discontinuation. Fz was still effective at the end of 30 months of treatment in 41% (7/17) of patients. Loss of efficacy was observed in 29.4% (5/17) of patients. It is concluded that Fz is an alternative for long-term treatment of patients with ET; however, loss of efficacy and side effects are common.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Time Factors; Tremor

Topics: Animals; Flunarizine; Humans; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Tremor

Over the last few years, cases of movement disorders induced by flunarizine and cinnarizine have been increasingly reported. We describe a series of 101 patients, whose ages ranged from 37 to 84 years (mean 69.1), developing abnormal movements frequently associated with depression, secondary to treatment with either or both drugs. Symptoms closely resembled those induced by neuroleptic drugs and remitted on drug discontinuance in all but five cases after 5-22 months' follow-up. Whether or not such undesirable side effects are attributable to calcium antagonism and/or dopamine receptor blockade, long-term treatment with flunarizine or cinnarizine should be discouraged, particularly in the elderly.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Cinnarizine; Depression; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; Dystonia; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Tremor

Two cases are reported in which a transient tremor of the tongue followed treatment with thioridazine and flunarizine. The finding of this kyperkinesia as the only extrapyramidal side-effect of drug therapy is uncommon.

Topics: Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Middle Aged; Thioridazine; Tongue; Tremor

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cinnarizine; Depression; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Time Factors; Tremor

Topics: Female; Flunarizine; Headache; Humans; Tremor

Topics: Adult; Depression; Female; Flunarizine; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Tremor