Parkinsonian Features: Causes, Medications, and What to Watch For

When someone develops tremors, stiff muscles, or slow movement, the first thought is often Parkinson’s disease. But parkinsonian features, a set of symptoms that mimic Parkinson’s disease but are triggered by other causes. Also known as drug-induced parkinsonism, it can happen to anyone taking certain medications—even if they’ve never had a neurological condition. These symptoms aren’t rare. They show up in older adults on antipsychotics, people taking nausea meds like metoclopramide, and even those using some antidepressants or calcium channel blockers. The key difference? Parkinsonian features often improve or disappear once the drug is stopped.

What makes this tricky is that these signs look almost identical to true Parkinson’s: shuffling walk, reduced arm swing, quiet voice, and a mask-like face. But there’s a big clue: true Parkinson’s usually starts on one side of the body, while drug-induced cases tend to be more even. Also, tremors in drug-induced cases are often more noticeable at rest, while the stiffness feels more rigid and less rhythmic. You won’t find the same brain changes seen in Parkinson’s on an MRI or PET scan. That’s why doctors look at your medication list first—especially if symptoms started after a new drug was added.

Some of the most common culprits are antipsychotics like haloperidol and risperidone, which block dopamine in the brain to control psychosis—but that same action can trigger movement problems. Even older anti-nausea drugs like metoclopramide and prochlorperazine carry this risk, especially with long-term use. Antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs don’t usually cause this, but in sensitive individuals, they can. And if you’re on a calcium channel blocker like verapamil for high blood pressure, you might notice slower movements without realizing why.

It’s not just about the drug itself—it’s about how your body handles it. Older adults, people with kidney or liver issues, and those on multiple meds are at higher risk. That’s why deprescribing is so important: cutting back on unnecessary drugs can reverse these symptoms. Studies show that in many cases, parkinsonian features fade within weeks of stopping the trigger medication. But if you ignore them, they can lead to falls, trouble swallowing, or even depression from feeling trapped in your own body.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories and science-backed facts about how common drugs can cause these movement problems. You’ll learn which medications are most likely to trigger parkinsonian features, how to spot them early, and what steps to take before they become a bigger issue. These aren’t theoretical warnings—they’re based on actual patient cases and clinical data. Whether you’re managing a loved one’s meds, tracking your own side effects, or just trying to understand why movement has changed, this collection gives you the clear, no-fluff answers you need.