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Trimetazidine: a trigger for parkinsonism

New cases of Parkinsonism caused or aggravated by trimetazidine have been reported in Spain and France. These disorders are reversible, which justifies halting this treatment and not prescribing it for new patients.

Even though trimetazidine has not been proved effective, it has been marketed in France since 1965 for a range of indications such as vertigo, buzzing or whistling in the ear (tinnitus), visual disorders and angina.

Back in 2004, Prescrire highlighted an initial series of 8 reports from Spain of Parkinsonism attributable to trimetazidine, which ceased completely upon ceasing treatment. Several dozen new cases of Parkinsonism have been signalled in Spain and in France, as well as tremors and difficulty in walking. All these disorders stopped or diminished after halting trimetazidine treatment.

Although trimetazidine has been on the market for four decades, the official information on its adverse effects remains oddly deficient.

The use of trimetazidine involving the slightest risk of Parkinsonism cannot be justified.

©Prescrire June 2006

Source: "Syndromes parkinsoniens réversibles liés à la trimétazidine" Rev Prescrire 2006 ; 26 (272) : 346-347.

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