beta-Adrenoreceptor antagonists in essential tremor.

Three different beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists--propranolol, sotalol, and atenolol--were compared in a double-blind study with placebo in nine patients with essential tremor. All three drugs produced an equal reduction in standing pulse rate but atenolol was less effective in reducing tremor than propranolol and sotalol. These results suggest that the reduction in tremor produced by beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists is mediated by an effect on peripheral beta 2-adrenoreceptors.