Akathisia May Put You At Extreme Risk

Akathisia May Put You At Extreme Risk

Akathisia is a movement disorder where it makes it hard for you to stay still. Akathisia is primarily caused by first generation antipsychotics, used to treat Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and other brain conditions. It can make you feel anxious, cause leg and foot movement, may cause you to rock back and forth, and even put you at risk of suicidal thoughts or worse. It can persist for the time in which you take your medication, or even when you stop or start them again. Here is a list of medications that may put you at risk of Akathisia. Please note that there are certain things you can do to decrease or stop your symptoms should you indeed have Akathisia:

Chlorpromazine

Droperidol

Fluphenazine

Haloperidol

Loxapine

Perphenazine

Pimozide

Prochlorperazine

Thioridazine

Thiothixene

Trifluoperazine

You are more likely to have Akathisia if you start with a higher dosage of the above medications. Sudden increases in the dose can cause the condition as well, and newer generations of the above drugs still have a likelyhood of causing Akathisia. Other antipsychotics that may cause Akathisia as well are:

Chlorpromazine

Droperidol

Fluphenazine

Haloperidol

Loxapine

Perphenazine

Pimozide

Prochlorperazine

Thioridazine

Thiothixene

Trifluoperazine

Doctors aren't sure, as you can guess, what causes this side effect. It may be that the drugs are blocking the brain's ability to communicate with other parts of your brain. There's other factors and drugs that cause the condition. Here is a list of other drugs and conditions that cause Akathisia:

• Drugs used to prevent vomiting and nausea
• Antidepressants like tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Calcium-channel blockers

So can health conditions like:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Encephalitis, a type of brain inflammation

The symptoms of Akathisia are feeling restless or like you can't stay still. You can become irritable or upset during this time.

There are four types of Akathisia. They are:

• Acute Akathisia shows up soon after you start a medication. It lasts for less than 6 months.

• Chronic Akathisia lasts for 6 months or more.

• Tardive Akathisia may not show up until months or years after you take a medicine.

• Withdrawal Akathisia usually sets in within 6 weeks after you switch or stop an antipsychotic drug.

Other medications can also bring on Akathisia. They include:

• Drugs used to prevent vomiting and nausea
• Antidepressants like tricyclics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Calcium-channel blockers

So can health conditions like:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Encephalitis, a type of brain inflammation

The Symptoms Of Akathsia

The main sign of Akathisia is a sense of restlessness and intense need to move. To relieve this feeling, you need to stay in motion. It usually affects your legs, usually while you’re sitting. People with akathisia are likely to:

• Rock back and forth
• Pace or march in place
• Shift their weight from foot to foot
• Cross and uncross their legs
• Squirm or fidget
• Grunt or moan

Other symptoms include feeling irritable, stressed, impatient, or panicked. You may feel like jumping out of your skin.

Treatment

Some drugs are noted for effective treatment of Akathisia. Your symptoms will disappear within six months if your Akathisia is successfully treated. Here is a list of treatment options that is noted for working when it comes to Akathisia:

Beta-blockers like Propranolol: These blood pressure medicines are usually the first treatment that doctors prescribe for Akathisia.

Benzodiazepines : These anti-anxiety medications are recommended only for short-term use.

Anticholinergics: Doctors use these drugs less for Akathisia and more for movement symptoms caused by antipsychotic medicines, like muscle stiffness or certain kinds of tremor.

Certain antidepressants, like Mirtazapine or 

Trazodone : At low doses, these drugs relieve Akathisia symptoms.

Drugs for Parkinson’s disease, like Amantadine: These medicines may boost your dopamine levels in parts of your brain that control movement. This can ease Akathisia and other muscle symptoms of antipsychotic drugs.

Vitamin B6 : High doses could ease Akathisia symptoms.

Your outlook for beating Akathisia is good should you seek help. As always, remember, you can beat anything the good lord hands you. You need to seek medical treatment should you believe you have developed symptoms of Akathisia. The idea of living with this condition sounds truly unpleasant. Please, consult your doctor right away if you are experiencing Akatihsia.