Side Effects Of Anticonvulsants

Tremors

Many medications have the potential to cause tremors, anticonvulsants being one of them. These side effects are called drug-induced tremors. A tremor occurs when part of an individual's body undergoes uncontrolled, rhythmic movement. The trembling is usually fast and happens in cycles of between six and ten seconds. In addition to anticonvulsants, certain antidepressants and antipsychotics can cause tremors to develop. The majority of tremors develop in the hands, though other places they occur include the face, head, arms, trunk, vocal cords, and legs. Patients might not always experience the tremors, though when they do, the tremors tend to occur within an hour of taking the medication. Tremors can become worse with stress, and they tend to stop during sleep. In addition to trembling in the body, patients might have shakiness in their voice. Treatment of tremors usually involves stopping the medication causing them, and the doctor might switch their patient to a different anticonvulsant instead. Patients might still experience tremor symptoms for a few months after stopping the medication. For some, the tremor doesn't fully subside until eighteen months later.

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