Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 18, 2025 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
Medical News: Understanding Myoclonus - A Brief Overview
Myoclonus, a sudden and brief involuntary muscle jerk, affects many individuals worldwide and can have a variety of causes. This condition is often associated with neurological disorders, metabolic imbalances, and adverse reactions to certain medications. Among these causes, drug-induced myoclonus (DIM) has gained significant attention due to its impact on patient health and quality of life.
Drug Induced Myoclonus - A Comprehensive Review
This
Medical News report delves into a comprehensive systematic review conducted by researchers from Cooper University Hospital in the United States, Jehangir Hospital in India, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in India, and Ohio State University. Their goal was to analyze medications that trigger DIM, offering insights into its pathophysiology and management.
Why DIM Deserves Attention
Drug-induced myoclonus (DIM) remains an underrecognized yet impactful condition. While myoclonus can occur due to various triggers, medications play a key role in causing or exacerbating these muscle spasms. This systematic review identified 1,115 cases of DIM from a pool of over 12,000 published studies, emphasizing the need for medical professionals to remain vigilant about this potential side effect. The researchers categorized the medications into different drug classes, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiseizure drugs, and opioids. They also graded these drug classes based on the strength of evidence linking them to myoclonus.
Key Findings of the Study
The study revealed that certain medications are more strongly associated with DIM. For instance, intravenous anesthetics like etomidate were the most frequently reported drugs, followed by cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The researchers also found that neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate play central roles in the development of DIM.
Drug Classes with High Evidence Levels
-Anesthetics: Etomidate and propofol are common culprits. Etomidate, in particular, was linked to high incidences of myoclonus, with researchers proposing a role for glutamate accumulation in the motor cortex.
-Antibiotics: Cephalosporins like cefepime and ceftazidime, along with fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin, were frequently reported. These drugs disrupt neurotransmitter balance, leading to abnormal muscle movements.
-Antidepressants: SSRIs such as citalopram, escitalopram, and paroxetine, as well as tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, were identified as significant contributors. Myoclonus in these cases is likely due to serotonin overload.
Opioids: Drugs like morphine and fentanyl, often used for pain management, were linked to generalized or multifocal myoclonus, especially at higher doses or during prolonged use.
&a
mp;nbsp;
Less Commonly Implicated Drugs
Other classes, including antipsychotics, antivirals, and antiparkinsonian drugs, also showed varying levels of association with DIM. Medications like clozapine, acyclovir, and levodopa were noted for their potential to cause involuntary muscle jerks, albeit less frequently.
Implications for Clinical Practice
The findings underscore the importance of recognizing DIM as a potential adverse drug reaction, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with preexisting neurological conditions. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent unnecessary medical investigations and treatments.
Management strategies for DIM often involve discontinuing or adjusting the offending medication. In some cases, medications like benzodiazepines or antiepileptic drugs can be prescribed to alleviate symptoms. However, preventing DIM through careful drug selection and dosage adjustment remains the most effective approach.
Conclusions and Future Directions
Drug-induced myoclonus represents a complex interplay between medication effects and individual patient factors. This study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to consider DIM when evaluating patients with new-onset myoclonus. By understanding the mechanisms and risk factors associated with DIM, clinicians can make informed decisions to improve patient care and outcomes.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Medicina.
https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/131
For the latest on drug-induced myoclonus (DIM), keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/canadian-study-finds-that-most-present-drugs-used-for-glaucoma-treatments-can-cause-adverse-issues
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/exploring-drug-induced-myocardial-infarction
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/brigham-study-finds-that-more-than-50-percent-of-cancer-drugs-granted-accelerated-approval-by-u-s--fda-do-not-work-and-sometime-kills
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/pharma-news-swedish-researchers-warn-that-many-cancer-drugs-are-being-approved-despite-lack-of-proper-efficacy
Share
Tweet
Share
