Efficacy and tolerability of eperisone in patients with spastic palsy: a cross-over, placebo-controlled dose-ranging trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Central muscle relaxants are a clinical option in patients with spastic palsy. Eperisone is a central muscle relaxant used in several conditions, but its therapeutic potential in spastic palsy needs to be verified. This dose-ranging trial compares two doses of eperisone in patients with spastic palsy associated to cerebral or spinal diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-way cross-over study, patients (18-75 years) with spastic palsy received eperisone 150 mg/day, eperisone 300 mg/day, or placebo for 8 weeks. Treatment periods lasted for 14 days. Objective clinical parameters (intensity of spasticity and physiological reflexes) and functional parameters (walking capability, capability to climb stairs, rigidity) were measured. Tolerability was also evaluated. RESULTS Eighteen patients were enrolled. The reduction in the intensity of spasticity versus the beginning of each treatment cycle was significant with eperisone 300 mg/day (p = 0.004). Similar findings were observed in the evaluation of patellar reflex (p = 0.01), while the other reflexes were not significantly different. Walking capability was significantly improved with eperisone 300 mg/day (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the capability to climb stairs and in rigidity. A trend towards a reduction in pain was noted with eperisone 300 mg/day versus placebo. The incidence of adverse events was similar in all groups. DISCUSSION Eperisone 300 mg/day might be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for spastic palsy. Larger studies are required to further characterize the efficacy of eperisone in this therapeutic area.