Drug-induced tremor

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Central nervous system

Tremor - drug-induced

• Tremors
  • Sporadic (occasional), episodic (occurring in discrete bursts), and intermittent (occur at some points during activity, but not others)
  • Rate of about 6 to 10 tremors per second (when tremors are occurring) affecting areas such as the head, hands, arms, and eyelids
  • Do not usually affect the lower body
  • May not affect both sides of the body equally
• Shaking or quivering sound to voice
• Head nodding
• Tremors that worsen with voluntary movement and emotional stress
• Tremors that disappear during sleep

Diagnosis is usually made based on history of use of medication that may cause tremors, paired with examination that reveals tremors on voluntary movement and no other abnormalities. Involvement of the legs, loss of coordination, or involuntary tremors (those that occur at rest) may indicate a condition such as parkinsonism rather than drug-induced tremor.

No other tests may be required. Testing can help rule out other causes of tremors such as alcohol withdrawal, abnormal thyroid gland function, pheochromocytoma, and other disorders. Laboratory tests and head CT scan, MRI, x-rays, angiography, or other tests reveal no abnormalities with drug-induced tremor.

Review Date: 08/26/2006
Reviewed By: Gail A. Kang, M.D., San Francisco VA Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, & Clinical Center, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.