The starting dose is 40 mg twice a day. The dose may be gradually raised to 120 mg three times a day. Possible side effects of propranolol therapy include dizziness, fatigue, depression, nausea, and impotence. These side effects are reversible upon stopping propranolol. Primidone and propranolol may be used in combination.
Benzodiazepines relieve anxiety, reduce restlessness, and relax muscles.
Because the benzodiazepines are habit-forming, they must be used judiciously. Surgery Surgery is an option for patients with incapacitating tremor unresponsive to medication such as primidone and propranolol. In ET the procedure of choice is DBS of the thalamus. Whether DBS should be done on one side or both sides requires a determination of how incapacitating the tremor in each hand is. All rights reserved.