Aims: The effects of intravenous aminophylline (375 mg) or placebo (saline) were studied in 10 patients with benign essential tremor.
Methods: 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.
Results: Tremor power was significantly greater following aminophylline (5.67-6.2 Hz) than placebo (5.6-5.9 Hz).
Conclusions: 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.