Why Do I Experience Restlessness Accompanied By Excessive Movements In Response To Medication?

Do you complain of restlessness, often accompanied by observed excessive movements (e.g., fidgety movements of the legs, rocking from foot to foot, pacing, inability to sit or stand still), developing within a few weeks of starting a medication (such as a neuroleptic)?

Do you complain of restlessness, often accompanied by observed excessive movements (e.g., fidgety movements of the legs, rocking from foot to foot, pacing, inability to sit or stand still), developing within a few weeks of raising the dosage of a medication (such as a neuroleptic)?

Do you complain of restlessness, often accompanied by observed excessive movements (e.g., fidgety movements of the legs, rocking from foot to foot, pacing, inability to sit or stand still), developing within a few weeks after reducing the dosage of a medication used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (side effects of antipsychotics and other drugs)?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you experience feelings of restlessness that are accompanied by excessive movements. Akathisia is a movement problem that makes it difficult for someone to stay still. People with akathisia feel an uncontrollable urge to move. Usually, akathisia is caused by antipsychotic drugs that are taken to treat for example schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This is called medication-induced acute akathisia. To relieve the symptoms, a doctor should change the medication.

Unfortunately, you are displaying one or more symptoms typically seen among individuals who have medication-induced acute akathisia. Seeking medical support is essential. Akathisia is a side effect of antipsychotic drugs that are used to treat, for example, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, not everyone who takes an antipsychotic drug gets the disorder. The chance is higher of getting it if you start with a high dose, suddenly increase the dose, or stop a medicine abruptly. Akathisia is easier to prevent than to treat. The best thing to do is to start at the lowest possible dose of an antipsychotic and increase it slowly. Always follow your doctor’s advises carefully.