TREATMENT OF PARALYSIS AGITANS WITH ORPHENADRINE (DISIPAL) HYDROCHLORIDE

Abstract

• Orphenadrine in doses generally of 50 mg. thrice daily was given to 176 patients with paralysis agitans. It was found to be compatible, and at times synergistic, with current anti-Parkinsonism agents, so that no changes in the previously established regimens of the patients were necessary. It brought some mitigation of symptoms to 98 of these patients, with striking benefits in some. There was relief of objective symptoms like sialorrhea, diaphoresis, oculogyria, and blepharospasm, with reduction of rigidity and tremor. In addition, subjective complaints of weakness, fatigue, and depression were frequently relieved by a marked euphoriant, energizing effect. Side-effects were few and were obviated by reducing the dosage. It was least effective in patients in whom major tremor was the dominant symptom, and the percentage of patients showing improvement was somewhat higher in the postencephalitic group than in the idiopathic and arteriosclerotic groups.