Medication Tremors: Causes, Common Drugs, and What to Do
When your hands shake without warning, it’s easy to assume it’s aging, stress, or caffeine. But sometimes, the real culprit is something you’re taking on purpose: medication tremors, involuntary shaking caused by prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Also known as drug-induced tremors, these aren’t just annoying—they can make eating, writing, or holding a cup feel impossible. Unlike tremors from Parkinson’s or essential tremor, these start after you begin a new medication and often go away when you stop it.
Many common drugs can trigger this reaction. antipsychotic tremors, shaking caused by medications used for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, are among the most recognized. Drugs like haloperidol and risperidone block dopamine in the brain, and that’s what sets off the tremors. But it’s not just psychiatric meds. Parkinson's medication, drugs like levodopa used to treat movement disorders can sometimes cause tremors too, especially if the dose is too high or too low. Even asthma inhalers, antidepressants like SSRIs, and certain seizure meds can do it. Some people don’t realize their shaking is tied to their pills until they stop and the tremors vanish.
What makes this tricky is that not everyone reacts the same way. Two people on the same drug—one shakes, the other doesn’t. That’s because genetics, age, liver function, and other meds you’re taking all play a role. If you’re on warfarin, for example, and start a new antibiotic, the interaction might make your tremors worse. It’s not always the drug itself—it’s how your body handles it.
Don’t panic if you notice shaking. But don’t ignore it either. The first step is to track when it started, how bad it is, and what else you’re taking. Bring that info to your doctor. They might adjust your dose, switch you to a different drug, or check for other causes like thyroid issues or low blood sugar. In many cases, switching to a different antidepressant or reducing the dose of an antipsychotic can make the tremors disappear without losing the benefit of the treatment.
Some people try to power through because they’re afraid of stopping their meds. But that’s not necessary. There are safer alternatives for almost every drug that causes tremors. For example, if you’re on an SSRI and shaking is a problem, your doctor might switch you to bupropion, which has a lower risk. Or if you’re on a beta-blocker for anxiety and it’s making your hands shake, they might try a different class of medication entirely.
What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and clear explanations about how drugs affect the body in unexpected ways. From how anticholinergics cause brain fog to why certain antibiotics trigger heart rhythm issues, these articles help you connect the dots between what’s in your pill bottle and what’s happening in your body. You’ll learn which medications are most likely to cause tremors, how to spot the warning signs early, and what steps to take before it gets worse. This isn’t about fear—it’s about control. You don’t have to live with shaking if you know what’s causing it and what to do next.
