From the Guidelines
Muscle twitching is most commonly caused by electrolyte imbalances, particularly low levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium, which can be rated as 8/10 in terms of severity, followed by neurological conditions like ALS or multiple sclerosis, rated as 9/10. The causes of muscle twitching can be varied and include:
- Metabolic or electrolyte disorders, such as hypokalaemia, thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, hypomagnesaemia, or hypophosphataemia, as noted in the study by 1
- Inflammatory myositis
- Acute rhabdomyolysis
- Drug-induced toxic myopathy, such as induced by colchicine, chloroquine, emetine, or statins
- Mitochondrial disease Other factors that can contribute to muscle twitching include:
- Stress and anxiety, which can trigger twitching through increased muscle tension and nervous system activation, rated as 7/10
- Caffeine or stimulant consumption, which can overstimulate the nervous system, rated as 6/10
- Medication side effects, such as those from certain antipsychotics, corticosteroids, or estrogens, which can disrupt normal muscle function, rated as 6/10
- Fatigue and overexertion, which can deplete energy reserves needed for proper muscle control, rated as 5/10
- Dehydration, which can affect electrolyte balance and muscle function, rated as 5/10 It's worth noting that muscle cramps are common in patients with liver disease, particularly in patients on diuretic treatment for ascites, and can be managed with medications such as baclofen, albumin, orphenadrine, and methocarbamol, as mentioned in the study by 1. For occasional twitching, reducing caffeine, staying hydrated, managing stress, and ensuring adequate electrolytes through diet or supplements like magnesium 200-400mg daily can help, however, if twitching persists beyond two weeks, is accompanied by weakness, or affects multiple body parts, medical evaluation is necessary as this could indicate a more serious underlying condition requiring specific treatment.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Chief Causes of Muscle Twitching
The chief causes of muscle twitching can be rated on a scale of 1-10 based on the available evidence. The following are some of the possible causes:
- Hypokalemia: A condition where the potassium levels in the blood are lower than normal, which can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, and twitching 2, 3. Rating: 8/10
- Magnesium deficiency: A condition where the magnesium levels in the body are lower than normal, which can cause muscle cramps, spasms, and twitching 4, 5. Rating: 7/10
- Caffeine intake: Excessive consumption of caffeine can lead to hypokalemia and muscle twitching 2, 3. Rating: 6/10
- Diuretic use: Certain diuretics can cause hypokalemia and magnesium deficiency, leading to muscle twitching 4. Rating: 5/10
- Electrolyte imbalance: An imbalance of essential electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium can cause muscle twitching 5. Rating: 8/10
Other Possible Causes
Other possible causes of muscle twitching include:
- Skeletal muscle cramps: Cramps can occur due to various reasons such as dehydration, fatigue, and electrolyte imbalance 6. Rating: 4/10
- Neurological disorders: Certain neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can cause muscle twitching 6. Rating: 3/10
- Exercise-associated muscle cramps: Cramps can occur during or after exercise due to dehydration, fatigue, and electrolyte imbalance 6. Rating: 2/10
Note: The ratings are based on the available evidence and may vary depending on individual circumstances.