Comparison the effects of Gabapentin and Propranolol in Patients with essential tremor

Introduction: Essential tremor is the most common abnormal movement in the world .there is no associate neurologic abnormality. Tremor in this disease has low frequency and it's prevalence is 3 to 5 percent in community. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 120 patients with essential tremor in neurology clinic of shahid mostafa Khomeini hospital (shahed university) from 2005to 2008. Patients assigned randomly in two groups. 59 patients received propranolol 40 mg 3 times daily for 3 weeks and 61 patients in another group received gabapentin 300 mg 3 times daily for the same duration. Fahn – TolosaMarin tremor rating scale (TRS) that is a numerical scale (0-88) was used for evalution in both groups. Results: 120 patients completed the study.56 (47%) patients were male and 64(53%) patients were female. Mean age was 43.9(26-59) years old .At the beginning of study the TRS was 38.6±1 and 39.1±1 in patients taking propranolol and gabapentin respectively .at the end of study TRS was 28.4±1 and 25.6±1 in propranolol and gabapentin group respectively. Statistical analysis with SPSS software showed significant difference in both group after treatment. (P<0.0005) Conclusion: Gabapentin can be used as an effective drug in the treatment of essential tremor it's efficacy is at least equal to propranolol. Due to its lower side effects and better tolerance especially in patients with cardiac and respiratory problems and in older patients this drug can be as the first selection in these patients.