Medication-induced movement disorders can significantly impact daily life, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can provide symptom relief. A combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and regular medical follow-ups can effectively manage these disorders. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a movement disorder, seek medical advice. Our telemedicine practice offers convenient, compassionate care to help you manage your condition from home. Schedule a consultation today to take the first step toward better health.

• Patients who experience a full recovery are considered to have true drug-induced parkinsonism.
• The tremor can occur episodically after taking the medication, intermittently in bursts, or occasionally without correlation to medication intake.
• While it is not life-threatening, many patients find an essential tremor affects their quality of life.
• Are you or a loved one struggling with symptoms of essential tremor that are affecting your daily life?

Additionally, alcohol consumption can interact with medications, making it harder for the body to process them properly, which may lead to an increased risk of MIMDs. Patients who engage in substance abuse may also be at higher risk, as certain recreational drugs can exacerbate the effects of medications that cause movement disorders. Medication-induced hand tremors are a significant concern that can arise from a variety of drugs and affect a broad patient demographic. Understanding the mechanisms behind these tremors is critical in identifying the causes and developing effective management strategies. It is important for patients experiencing new or worsening tremors to consult with their healthcare provider to review their medications and discuss potential side effects and alternative treatment options. DBS involves implanting electrodes in the brain to regulate abnormal movement signals and is typically reserved for advanced cases where medications are ineffective.

Your doctor will diagnose the cause of your tremor based on your medical history, physical exam, and blood tests. Tardive dyskinesia is a late-onset movement disorder that affects around 20-30% of patients who have been on long-term antipsychotic medications. It is characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, particularly of the face, such as lip-smacking, tongue movements, or grimacing.

This issue is not only disconcerting for patients but can also complicate the management of their primary health issues. In contrast to neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease, for which there is no cure, drug-induced parkinsonism (tremor) can usually be reversed by discontinuing the offending drugs, if that’s an option. Risk factors for drug-induced tremors include taking many medications at the same time, older age, high doses of medications, and dosage forms of offending medications known for causing tremors. Regarding the dosage forms, the extended-release version of the drug is preferred over their immediate-release preparations if the drug is known for causing tremors as a side effect. Medications prescribed to asthma patients, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proair, Proventil), salmeterol (Serevent), and arformoterol (Brovana) inhalers, can cause medication-induced tremor as a side effect. Up to 20% of people who take these medications develop tremors.

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The tremor caused by medicine can affect various body parts such what medications cause tremors as the eyelids, head, arms, hands, and voice. The leading theory behind functional movement disorder is that it stems from dysfunction in brain networks that control movement. Functional brain scans show that certain areas of the brain may be overactive or underactive, both at rest and during specific tasks.

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If you have complex feelings about the diagnosis, be sure to express them to your provider. They can try to help set your mind at ease by listening and offering support and solutions. A healthcare provider will start by asking about your symptoms and medical history.

Drugs with the Side Effect – Tremor

You may notice that if you hold your hands or arms out in front of you, they’re not completely still. This natural tremor is typically slightly greater when you consume caffeine or alcohol, take certain medications, or are tired or anxious. These drugs are used in patients after organ transplants to prevent the rejection of the transplanted organs. Many patients have experienced tremors with immunosuppressants, especially when the serum drug level is high. The dystonia almost disappeared after the device was implanted and turned on.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Tremors, involuntary rhythmic shaking movements, occur in approximately 20-30% of patients with medication-induced movement disorders. These tremors are often more noticeable in the hands but can affect other parts of the body, such as the legs, head, or voice. Tremors may be more common in patients taking antipsychotic medications or certain antidepressants. These drugs can interfere with dopamine regulation in the brain, leading to abnormal signaling that results in tremors. Tremors can be present at rest or during movement and may worsen over time if the medication is not adjusted. Patients with certain medical conditions are more likely to develop medication-induced movement disorders.

The impact of medication side effects on daily life

Tremor is — by definition — a movement that’s out of your control. But there are actions you can take to manage the underlying condition and take back some control. Tremor is a rhythmic movement of a body part that’s out of your control (involuntary).

For example, the drug levodopa is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, but may not improve symptoms of parkinsonism or pseudoparkinsonism. Your doctor will work with you to determine a treatment plan and then make changes as needed. There are medications that can help treat tremors, and many are covered by private insurance plans and Medicare. Among the more common medications that are effective at treating tremors in the hands and arms are primidone (an anti-seizure medication) and propranolol (a beta-blocker). Just be sure to discuss potential side effects with your doctor, as these medications can lower your blood pressure, affect your heart rate and more. Hand tremors induced by medication represent a significant challenge, especially when such medications are integral to treating other medical conditions.

It looks like shakiness and can affect many different body parts. The only way to know the cause is to see a healthcare provider for testing. Your health care provider can make the diagnosis by performing a physical exam and asking about your medical and personal history.

Functional movement disorder is one of many subtypes of functional neurological disorder (FND). Working closely with your neurologist is important as you gradually stop the medications causing your symptoms and recover. When the medication can safely be stopped, your doctor will give you a schedule to slowly do that. It’s important to follow the schedule and never stop a prescription medication suddenly.

During the neurological exam, they may assess things like your reflexes, coordination, muscle strength, muscle tone, walking pattern and mobility. Functional movement disorder (FMD) is a condition that affects how your brain controls movement. It happens when your brain has trouble sending and receiving signals correctly. This can cause movements that feel out of your control (involuntary), such as shaking, jerking, twisting, spasms, slowness or difficulty walking. It’s important to note that some treatments for Parkinson’s disease are not as effective in treating drug-induced parkinsonism.

Description of Medication-Induced Movement Disorders

When researchers initially made adjustments to the adaptive DBS settings as part of the study, he could feel his symptoms returning, but they subsided when the team made additional modifications. People with such implants may also experience stimulation-induced side effects—such as tingling, tightness or speech changes—if the electrical current spreads to surrounding areas of the brain. One of the most important aspects of Focused Ultrasound is that it’s accessible to a wide range of patients. There is no upper age limit for treatment, making it available for older adults who may not be eligible for more invasive procedures. Additionally, the procedure is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurers, reducing financial barriers for those seeking relief.