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Three Medications That May Be Used To Treat Essential Tremors

21 October 2019 by Wade Wheeler

If you suffer from essential tremors, the good news is that there are plenty of medications out there to treat and manage this condition. Which one your doctor recommends will depend on the nature of your tremors, what other medications you are taking, whether you have any competing medical conditions, and a range of other factors. That being said, it is still good to be informed! Here are three medications your doctor may prescribe for essential tremor treatment and management.

Propanolol

Propanolol is a beta blocker, which means it binds to your beta-andrenergic receptors to block the action of certain neurotransmitters in the body. It's used widely for a range of conditions, including high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, and tremors. It is often prescribed in a time-release formula, which means the pill releases a little of the drug at a time, keeping your levels relatively constant throughout the day. With this type of formula, you should have fewer issues with your tremors returning before you're due for another dose. Some patients do experience nausea, tiredness, and sleep trouble when taking propanolol, but these side effects tend to lessen the longer you stay on the medication.

Primidone

Primidone may be prescribed if your doctor suspects your tremors originate in the brain. It is an anti-seizure drug, but has also been used to control essential tremors in some cases. Primidone can be addictive, so it is not recommended for patients who have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction in the past. It can cause headaches and loss of appetite in some patients. Let your doctor know if you're struggling with these side effects; they may want to change you to a different medication.

Diazepam

For serious cases of tremors that do not respond to milder drugs, your doctor may prescribe diazepam. This medication is also used as a mild sedative, so it will make you feel relaxed and at-ease — good news if your tremors are in any way associated with stress or anxiety. You will need to take it two to four times per day and be careful to keep with a schedule to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you ever stop taking diazepam, you'll need to be weaned off it slowly. 

Keep in mind that these are just a few of the many medications that can be prescribed for tremors. Talk to your doctor to learn more about them and to determine which is best for you.

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