sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site
Ask Sofi
Listen
Patient SupportEmergencies & Reporting
Log inSign up

Warning-sign checks

Drug-induced tremor: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help for severe shaking accompanied by:

    • A seizure, collapse, fainting, or inability to stay awake
    • High fever, severe stiffness, confusion, or marked agitation
    • Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a very fast or irregular heartbeat
    • Suspected overdose or an accidental extra dose
    • Rapidly worsening symptoms after a medicine change

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the prescriber promptly if tremor occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, marked drowsiness, new unsteadiness, slurred speech, or confusion.

    These symptoms can occur when the level of certain medicines, including lithium, is too high.

    Both require urgent assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medication review if a new tremor appears after starting or changing a medicine.

    Also seek follow-up if the tremor is getting worse, interfering with daily activities, or occurring with stiffness, slowed movement, balance problems, or repeated falls.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is having side effects from a medicine, or is struggling to take it as prescribed

The article also says

Tremor with fever, sweating, diarrhea, agitation, and unusual muscle jerking can be part of serotonin syndrome, a potentially serious medicine reaction.

Severe stiffness and fever after a dopamine-blocking medicine can indicate another rare but serious reaction.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Drug-induced tremor. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.