Relationship between plasma propranolol concentration and relief of essential tremor.

The relationship between plasma propranolol concentration and relief of essential tremor was examined in 11 patients during treatment with oral racemic propranolol in doses of 30 to 640 mg/day. Although propranolol decreased tremor in all 11 patients, the degree of improvement varied widely in individuals (mean 51%, range 25--90%), and was not related directly occurred at plasma propranolol concentrations below 20 ng/ml (0.077 mumol/l) and, in three others, below 40 ng/ml (0.154 mumol/l). It is concluded that the optimum response of essential tremor to propranolol is achieved at relatively low plasma propranolol levels, levels which are obtained by daily propranolol doses of 120--240 mg.