Buss D C, Marshall R W, Milligan N, McQueen I, Compston D A, Routledge P A
Department of Pharmacology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Jan;43(1):119-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1997.tb00044.x.
The effects of intravenous aminophylline (375 mg) or placebo (saline) were studied in 10 patients with benign essential tremor.
This was a single-blind crossover study. Patients received aminophylline by i.v. infusion over 15 min or saline at least 1 week apart. Tremor was measured by a peizoresistive accelerometer at 15 min intervals predose and up to 2 h. Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured by h.p.l.c.
Tremor power was significantly greater following aminophylline (5.67-6.2 Hz) than placebo (5.6-5.9 Hz).
We conclude that intravenous aminophylline potentiates benign essential tremor when given acutely by the intravenous route in the doses required to achieve therapeutic benefits in asthma.