There are no highly effective medications for myoclonus, and some therapies may worsen cognitive status or coordination of movements. Decisions about symptomatic treatment balance the risks of medication side effects with the potential benefits in terms of symptom severity and quality of life. Goals and expectations should be reviewed prior to starting symptomatic therapy. Responses are typically partial at best. Multiple medication trials are sometimes necessary to find the best drug or drug combination to control myoclonus.
* Symptomatic treatment of myoclonus is guided by the anatomic/physiologic type. Cortical myoclonus is probably the most commonly encountered type in hospital settings and in cases of new-onset myoclonus in adults. Most cases of symptomatic myoclonus represent cortical myoclonus, including those associated with post-hypoxic injury, toxic/metabolic derangements, inflammatory/infectious processes, and neurodegeneration. Refer to UpToDate topic reviews on myoclonus for further information on types of myoclonus.
