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Home :: Family Health :: Akathisia
Akathisia - Akathisia symptom, treatment, causes
Akathisia is a sense of restlessness and anxiety during waking hours that is a side effect of some ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS, and can occasionally occur as a symptom of PARKINSON'S DISEASE. Affected patients of Akathisia are compelled to keep pacing up and down. Akathisia tends to come and go, and the problem may be overcome by changing to a different antipsychotic, or use of an additional drug to reduce the symptom.
Akathisia is a frequent and common adverse effect of treatment with antipsychotic drugs. More rarely, it can be caused by anti-depressants. Akathisia is a relatively common side effect of antipsychotic medication, although other drugs including antidepressants, metoclopramide, some calcium channel blockers, dopamine agonists, amphetamine and buspirone have all been shown to cause it. Akathisia may range in intensity from a mild sense of disquiet or anxiety (which may be easily overlooked) to a total inability to sit still with overwhelming anxiety and severe dysphoria.
Akathisia is such an important clinical problem that is very frequently misdiagnosed in clinical practice, we thought that we would summarize some of the literature for you. Acquaintance with this symptom of akathisia, which often persists for a considerable time after the drug has been withdrawn, is important because it is sometimes mistaken for an agitated depression and wrongly treated.
Akathisia can occur for no apparent reason or may be induced by certain drugs. People with akathisia are unable to sit or keep still, complain of restlessness, fidget, rock from foot to foot, and pace. It is a effect of certain including atypical antipsychotic Zyprexa , and SSRIs such as Paxil , Xanax, and Zoloft . Partially due to the fact that the condition (and its attendant feeling) is difficult for the patient to describe, it is often misdiagnosed and can lead the patient to commit suicide in or outside the hospital.
Causes of Akathisia
The common Causes of Akathisia
- Tricyclic antidepressants , such as trazodone.
- Certain antihistamines , such as promethazine and diphenhydramine.
- And certain anti-emetic drugs, particularly the dopamine blockers.
Symptoms of Akathisia
The common Symptoms of Akathisia
- Impatience
- Pacing
- Impaired attention
- Anxiety
- Impaired concentration
- In the most severe cases, dysphoria can result in suicidal thoughts and attempts.
Treatment of Akathisia
- Optimal management is to prevent akathisia in the first instance.
- Some consider the drug of choice for the treatment of akathisia to be propranolol , along with other beta blockers such as metoprolol .
- Most of the clinical cases of akathisia can be prevented by not administering the drugs that cause the condition.
- Treatment includes the discontinuation or reduction of dose of the causative medication.
- Some consider other drugs such as cyproheptadine, benztropine, and benadryl, though excess use of benadryl may worsen symptoms.
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