Read up on Essential tremor treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Essential tremor

Key points about treatments

If your tremor interferes with your life, there are treatments that can help. Medications can't cure essential tremor but they can help with the symptoms.

If you aren't bothered by your tremor, you may not need treatment.
Lifestyle changes (such as avoiding caffeine) may help you.
There are drugs that can help your symptoms, such as propranolol (a type of drug called a

beta-blockers
These drugs work by blocking the effects of certain chemicals produced by your body (such as adrenaline). Beta-blockers slow your heart rate and improve the beating of your heart. They are often used in people with angina or heart failure.

beta blocker) or primidone (a drug usually used for epilepsy).
Medications may not work for everyone. Or they may reduce the tremor, but not enough to help you to do everyday things.
Lots of drugs have been tried for essential tremor. But some of them have side effects, and we don't know for sure whether some drugs work.
If you've tried several drugs and you still have very bad essential tremor, your doctor may suggest surgery on part of your brain. But this is very rare.

This information was last updated on Sep 01, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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