EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF ORTHOSTATIC TREMOR WITH GABAPENTIN

We report seven patients with orthostatic tremor (OT) who were success fully treated with the anticonvulsant gabapentin. Five of the patients had been previously tried on clonazepam, the most commonly used drug for OT, four without any benefit. The degree of improvement perceived by the patients with gabapentin varied from 60-80% (mean 73%). The eff ective dose of gabapentin ranged from 300-1800 mg/day (mean 1030 mg/da y). The side effects were generally mild, transient, and dose-related. Duration of response has so far ranged from 2-22 months (mean 11 mont hs) with all patients still currently benefiting from gabapentin. We c onclude that gabapentin may be an effective treatment for OT. Further trials are indicated.