Effects of zonisamide on isolated head tremor

Background and purpose: The medical treatment available for patients with essential tremor (ET) is often inadequate. Furthermore, the efficacy of the medical treatments currently available for patients with ET of cranial nerve areas is less satisfactory than that of the medical treatments available for patients with ET involving the upper extremities. This pilot study was performed to evaluate whether zonisamide (ZNS) is effective in the treatment of patients with isolated head tremor. Methods: All subjects with isolated head tremor were randomly treated with either ZNS or propranolol. After a washout period, the subjects were switched to the alternative drug. Results: ZNS was found to be more effective in the treatment of patients with isolated head tremor than propranolol. No severe adverse effects were reported with either ZNS or propranolol. Conclusion: ZNS may be more useful than propranolol for the treatment of ET patients with head tremor.