Medication taken by millions to treat colds could trigger symptom mistaken for Parkinson’s disease, warns doctor

A POPULAR nasal spray used to tackle a blocked nose may trigger Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms, a doctor has warned.

Pseudoephedrine, a medicine found in many cold and flu medicines like Sudafed, can trigger tremors.

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The medicines, taken by millions of Brits according to the NHS, have been linked to two rare brain disorders.

Tremors or shakes are symptoms commonly linked to Parkinson's, a progressive neurological disease which affects how the brain communicates with the muscles in the body.

In a TikTok video, Dr Baibing Chen (), a neurologist based in Michigan, US, said he often sees patients with tremors who fear they may have the serious brain disorder.

However, before evaluating them for neurological conditions, Dr Chen always checks their medication history to rule out drug-related causes.

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He explained that pseudoephedrine can "increase nervous system activity and can lead to shakiness and tremors."

These symptoms are worse at higher doses or in sensitive people.

The same goes for drugs used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, and antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Dr Chen said.

The NHS recommends several SSRIs for treating depression, including citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline.

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The NHS says that while some people experience no side effects, many side effects subside after the first few weeks of treatment.

In addition to shakiness, SSRIs can cause restlessness, sweating, and headaches.

Tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline can cause similar reactions, the doctor said.

Typical antipsychotics used to treat psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking, can also cause tremors.

Dr Chen said asthma medications are sometimes associated with jitters.

Inhalers prescribed for asthma, such as albuterol, salmeterol, and arformoterol, can trigger tremors as a side effect.

Meanwhile, anti-seizure medications can cause tremors due to their effect on the central nervous system, he said.

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Similarly, antiarrhythmic medications used to treat irregular heart rhythms can have the same impact.

Steroids are another group of drugs to watch out for.

Prednisone is one of the most commonly prescribed steroids in the UK.

It can cause serious side effects, such as tingling in the face and extremities, muscle twitching, and uncontrollable hand shaking -especially when used in high doses or over a long period of time.

Stimulants are another common cause of tremors, the doctor said.

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Caffeine, found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, and over-the-counter energy supplements, can make your hands shake if consumed in large quantities.

This is particularly an issue for people who are sensitive to its stimulating effects.