[Drug-induced tremor and acute movement disorders]

The main clinical characteristics and aetiology of drug-induced tremor and acute movement disorders (myoclonus, chorea, athetosis, dyskinesia, dystonia, tics) are reviewed and discussed in this article. Tremor is the most frequent drug-induced acute movement disorder. Drug intake (and, initially, true or 'hidden' neuroleptic or psychoactive drugs) should be suspected as the cause of every abnormal movement. Drug-induced acute movement disorders usually disappear spontaneously after withdrawal of the suspected drug without any drug treatment. Drug-induced tremor and movement disorders are often poorly described in the Summary of Products Characteristics (SPC).