What Is a Tremor?
A tremor is an involuntary shaking of the head, limbs, or eyelids.
This shaking can occur whether you’re moving or still.
Tremors:
Some tremors occur during rest; some happen during random or specific movements.
Some studies estimate that 20% of people treated with an SSRI or tricyclic antidepressant will develop a tremor.
This may occur at any time after the medication was initiated.
SSRI antidepressants include:
Tricyclic antidepressants include:
Tremors can also be a symptom of antidepressant withdrawal.
You should never stop taking your antidepressant or change your dose without talking to your doctor first.
Your doctor may recommend gradually tapering your dose so you can minimize symptoms of discontinuation syndrome.
In addition, there are a wide variety of other prescription drugs which may cause tremors.
If this is the case, your doctor may opt to add an additional medication to control your tremors.
If it persists, your doctor may prescribe another medication and/or physical therapy to reduce or stop the tremor.
Usually, a tremor because of Lexapro (escitalopram) goes away after you stop taking the medication.
Sometimes, but not always.
2015;9(2):VD01-VD02.
doi:10.7860/JCDR/2015/11394.5583
National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor Fact Sheet.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine.
New York: Mc Graw Hill education, 2015.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.
