Tag: Myoclonus

According to research, the rate of overall adverse reactions to contrast agents is less than 1% for most patients undergoing CT or MRI scans. However, in rare instances, contrast dye can cause muscle spasms, twitching, or cramps, stemming from various physiological mechanisms that healthcare professionals must understand.

Up to 70% of adults experience hypnic jerks, or sleep starts, at some point in their lives [1.9.2]. While often benign, certain medications can increase their frequency. But can SSRIs cause hypnic jerks specifically? The answer is yes, this is a recognized, though relatively uncommon, side effect [1.2.2].

While most commonly known for treating movement disorders, research and postmarketing experience have shown that amantadine can, in some cases, cause abnormal movements, including shaking or myoclonus. It is crucial for patients and healthcare providers to understand this paradoxical risk when considering therapy.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a wide range of medications can cause tremors and involuntary muscle movements by affecting the nervous system. Understanding **what medications cause muscle twitching** is the first step toward determining the cause and appropriate course of action for this often-benign but sometimes concerning symptom.

According to a French pharmacovigilance database study, drug-induced myoclonus accounted for 0.2% of all adverse drug reaction reports [1.3.2]. Understanding **what drugs cause jerking** is crucial for patients and healthcare providers to recognize and manage this potential side effect, known as myoclonus.

While baclofen is prescribed to reduce muscle spasticity, a sudden appearance of new or worsening muscle activity, including twitches, is a reported side effect. This raises the question: **can baclofen cause muscle twitches**? Yes, primarily as a result of abrupt withdrawal or, in more severe cases, toxicity.

According to pharmacovigilance data, antidepressants are among the most frequently reported classes of drugs linked to myoclonus, along with opiates, antipsychotics, and antibiotics. For this reason, it is important to be aware that yes, **can antidepressants cause myoclonic jerks**, and to understand the different scenarios in which these involuntary muscle movements may occur.

With an incidence of myoclonus (involuntary muscle jerks) as high as 50-80% in non-premedicated patients, etomidate is a potent anesthetic with a distinct profile [1.5.4, 1.5.7]. So, is there another name for etomidate? Yes, this medication is most widely known by its brand name, Amidate [1.2.4].

Synthesized in the 1960s, piracetam was the first drug to be designated a "nootropic," a class of substances believed to improve mental performance. While it holds approval for certain medical conditions in some countries, the question of what is the drug piracetam used for is complex due to a lack of conclusive evidence for many of its purported cognitive-enhancing benefits.

Developed in the 1960s, piracetam was the first substance to be labeled as a nootropic or 'smart drug'. This synthetic compound has been researched for potential cognitive and neurological benefits, and a growing body of evidence explores what are the benefits of taking piracetam.