Guide To The Causes Of Hand Tremors

Certain Medications

Patients who take certain medications are at an increased risk of experiencing hand tremors. This is because they are a common side effect. Inhaled asthma medications increase stress hormones, which can result in tremors. Examples of such asthma medications are albuterol and formoterol. Amiodarone, a drug used to treat heart rhythm irregularities, is known to cause hand tremors in at least one-third of the patients who take it. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are associated with hand tremors in roughly twenty percent of patients who use them. Lithium and tricyclic antidepressants may also cause tremors.

Hand tremors caused by medications differ from those caused by neurological conditions. The tremors that stem from medication occur with voluntary movements. Examples include when individuals are reaching for something or performing a specific task. Unlike other tremors, medication-induced tremors tend to affect both hands. In addition, they do not worsen over time. They tend to resolve if the dose is lowered as well. Patients also see their tremors disappear if they discontinue or switch their medication.