Myoclonus

Treatment

Treating myoclonus is easiest when a reversible underlying cause can be found, such as a medication or toxin that can be discontinued or flushed out, a metabolic abnormality that can be corrected or a spinal lesion that can be removed. In such cases, the involuntary movements may disappear quickly.

Treating other forms of myoclonus can be more challenging, though options are available.

Medication

Although no drugs currently are designed to treat myoclonus, various drugs, prescribed "off label" and often used in combination, can help relieve symptoms in many patients.

Which drugs might help usually depends on the form of myoclonus and where in the nervous system it originates. Medication that may help one form of myoclonus often will not help another.

Patients may need to try different drugs, alone or in combination, before experiencing the most effective results. Some of the drugs have side effects that may limit their use and some require that a patient taper off slowly, should the need arise to discontinue them.

Clonazepam, sodium valproate, primidome, piracetum and levitiracetum are the most commonly prescribed medications for cortical myoclonus.

Vaproic acid accompanied by lamotrigine, ethosuximide, zonisamide or clonazepam is often used to treat epileptic myoclonus.

Surgery

If the myoclonus is caused by a lesion on the spine, the lesion may be removed surgically.

Palatal and middle-ear myoclonus are also sometimes treated surgically.

Other Therapies

Botulinum toxin injections can be helpful in treating various forms of myoclonus. See Botulimum Toxin Injections for Treatment of Movement Disorders.

Physical or occupational therapy may also help patients with myoclonus.