Akathisia: treatment
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Akathisia: treatment. Discontinue or reduce the dose of the trigger drug. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
General treatment
- Discontinue or reduce the dose of the trigger drug
Switching to atypical antipsychotics
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Propranolol
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Anticholinergics
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Other drugs
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References
- Rissardo JP, Vora N, Mathew B, Kashyap V, Muhammad S, Caprara ALF. Overview of movement disorders secondary to drugs. Clin Pract 2023; 13:959-976.
- Poyurovsky M, Pashinian A, Weizman R, Fuchs C, Weizman A. Low-dose mirtazapine: a new option in the treatment of antipsychotic-induced akathisia. A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and propranolol-controlled trial. Biol Psychiatry 2006; 59:1071-1077.
- Musco S, McAllister V, Caudle I. Dopamine-receptor blocking agent-associated akathisia: a summary of current understanding and proposal for a rational approach to treatment. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2020; 10:2045125320937575.
- Juncal-Ruiz M, Ramirez-Bonilla M, Gomez-Arnau J, et al. Incidence and risk factors of acute akathisia in 493 individuals with first episode non-affective psychosis: a 6-week randomised study of antipsychotic treatment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2563-2570.
