Medications for Ataxia Symptoms

DISCLAIMER: This fact sheet is designed for educational SSRI’s (Selective serotonin reuptake purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical Inhibitors), SNRI’s (Selective norepinephrine-serotonin advice. The information provided here should not be used reuptake inhibitors) – classes of drugs for anxiety or for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It depression is not a substitute for professional care. All of these medications may have serious side effects and should Acetazolamide (Diamox), only be used under a doctor’s supervision. NAF makes no 4-aminopyridine, Baclofen, Clonazepam, Flunarizine, representation or promise regarding the effectiveness of Gabapentin (Neurontin), Meclizine, Memantine, any drug listed below. Ondansetron (Zofran), Scopolamine (eg. Transderm Scop Patch for motion sickness)

At this time, the goals of treatment of Ataxia are to improve the quality of life for the person with Ataxia. Excessive daytime Modafinil (Provigil) or For certain types of Ataxia, such as Ataxia due to Armodafinil (Nuvigil)

Vitamin E deficiency, specific treatment of the underlying problem may improve the Ataxia itself. Erectile Cialis, Levitra, Viagra Currently, the focus of treatment is on identifying symptoms related to or caused by the Ataxia and treating those symptoms. Fatigue: Amantadine, Atomoxetine (Strattera),

Buproprion (Wellbutrin), Carnitine, Creatine, Modafinil (Provigil) or Armodafinil (Nuvigil), Pyridostigmine, Through education, timely involvement of other Selegiline (Eldepryl), Venlafaxine (Effexor), specialists, rehabilitation interventions (physical and Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq); SSRI’s (Selective serotonin occupation therapy, speech and swallowing therapy), reuptake inhibitors), SNRI’s (Selective and medical treatment of specific symptoms, the norepinephrine-serotonin reuptake inhibitors) – quality of life of every person with Ataxia can be classes of drugs for anxiety or depression that may also improved considerably. help fatigue.

Listed below are some of the common symptoms Amantadine, Buspirone associated with Ataxia followed by off-label (Buspar), Riluzole (Rilutek), Varenicline (Chantix). (Pilot medications that have been used for those symptoms Study of Varenicline (Chantix®) in the Treatment of and have been reported in the medical literature and Friedreich's ataxia was terminated as a result of concerns Ataxia clinicians. If available as a generic, that name is regarding safety and intolerability). listed first with the name brand in parentheses.

Memory or Cholinesterase Sensitivity to Medication: Ataxia patients are going to inhibitors (memory drugs approved for use in be like any other patient with a central nervous system Alzheimer’s disease), Memantine (Namenda) disease – much more sensitive to medications, as are older people. These patients frequently require lower doses of medications Muscle cramps or Baclofen, Tizanidine (Zanaflex)

National Ataxia Foundation 600 HWY 169 S., Suite 1725 Minneapolis, MN 55426-1201 Muscle Creatine

Amantadine, pain: Cymbalta, Lyrica, Gabapentin Baclofen, Botulinum toxin Shots, Dantrolene sodium

(Dantrium), Diazepam (Valium)- (But high doses can worsen ataxia), Levodopa (carbidopa-levodopa, Cymbalta, Lyrica; as well as common Sinemet), Pramipexole (Mirapex), Ropinirole (Requip), usage of gabapentin, other anti-seizure drugs, and Tizanidine (Zanaflex), Trihexyphenidyl various tricyclic anti-depressants.

Tremor or Rest Tremor: Amantadine, Botulinum toxin Acetazolamide (Diamox), 4-aminopyridine, Shots, Carbamazepine, Clonazepam, Deep Brain Baclofen, Carbamazepine, Clonazepam (Klonopin), Stimulation, Flunarizine, Gabapentin (Neurontin), Gabapentin (Neurontin), Isoniazid, Memantine Isoniazid, Levetiracetam, Levodopa (carbidopa-levodopa, Sinemet), NAC (N-acetylcysteine) Ondansetron (Zofran), Atomoxetine (Strattera), Pramipexole (Mirapex), Primidone, Propranolol, Droxidopa (Northera), Ephedrine, Fludrocortisone Ropinirole (Requip), Topiramate, Valproic Acid (Florinef), Midodrine, Pyridostigmine (Depakote)

Overactive Bladder: There are many anticholinergic and Fluoxetine drugs approved for overactive bladder, which can help (Prozac), Neudexta, Amitriptyline in cases of neurogenic bladder. Botulinum toxin Shots have also been used in severe cases unresponsive to Ataxia type 1: Carbamazepine, Phenytoin oral medication or rehabilitation/biofeedback strategies. Ataxia type 2: Flunarizine, Acetazolamide, and Restless legs: Gabapentin (Neurontin or Horizant), 4 aminopyridine Levodopa (carbidopa-levodopa, Sinemet), Pramipexole (Mirapex), Ropinirole (Requip) DISCLAIMER: This fact sheet is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical Rigidity: Pramipexole (Mirapex), Ropinirole (Requip) advice. The information provided here should not be used

for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. It is Sleep not a substitute for professional care. All of these medications may have serious side effects and should only Clonazepam. Sleep apnea symptoms must be be used under a doctor’s supervision. NAF makes no evaluated with a sleep study (nocturnal representation or promise regarding the effectiveness of polysomnogram) and treated with positive pressure any drug listed above. airway support if indicated.

Speech and Revised 12/2018 Fluoxetine (Prozac), NAC (N-acetylcysteine)

National Ataxia Foundation 600 HWY 169 S., Suite 1725 Minneapolis, MN 55426-1201