akathisia

Etiology

• chronic neuroleptic administration
• antiemetics - metoclopramide
• dyskinetic movement disorder
  • parkinsonism
  • restless legs syndrome

Clinical manifestations

• a state of distressing inner restlessness coupled with repetitive movements
• uncomfortable mental & physical restlessness
• inability to sit still

Diagnostic criteria

• may be diagnosed on the basis on clinical symptoms alone*

* see Hillside Akathisia Scale

Management

• discontinue offending agent if possible
• treated like drug-induced parkinsonism
• substituting antipsychotic for one with more anticholinergic activity
  • trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
  • diphenhydramine
• midazolam more effective but more sedating than diphenhydramine

More general terms

• sign/symptom
• movement disorder

Additional terms

• drug-induced parkinsonism
• restless legs syndrome; Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS)