$Unique_ID{BRK01241}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{Restlessness From Tranquilizers}
$Subject{medications tranquilizers side-effects}
$Volume{E}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Restlessness From Tranquilizers


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QUESTION:  Although the medication was supposed to calm my nerves, I became so
jumpy and restless that finally the doctor told me to just stop taking the
pills.  I thought tranquilizers were supposed to quiet you down, but that
wasn't the case with me.  Can you figure out what went wrong in my case, and
please explain it to me?

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ANSWER:  The restlessness you describe is a syndrome aptly called "akathisia",
which is Greek for "no sitting down."  It is a common side-effect of several
medications for anxiety and for other psychiatric problems.  Up to 20% of
patients taking antipsychotic medications may develop this syndrome.
Akathisia can also develop on its own in patients with Parkinson's disease.
     People suffering from akathisia feel very restless and are also very
physically active.  They fidget, cannot stay seated without squirming for more
than a few minutes.  They often stand up and walk or march in place, if they
are not allowed to walk about.  Many patients state that their restlessness is
relieved by the activity.
     The problem with akathisia as a drug side effect is that it's often
thought to be a worsening of the anxiety or psychosis that the drug was
supposed to treat.  Instead of reducing or eliminating the medication,
physicians may be fooled while treating a patient who paces the halls of a
hospital or marches in place and may increase the dosage of the medication,
which only makes the behavior worse.
     The medications that can cause akathisia include many commonly used
tranquilizers, which have a proven desirable effect for the condition of most
patients.  If the medication cannot be discontinued, because it is having a
much desired result, the akathisia side effect can be reduced with other
drugs.  In your case, the solution may be to try another tranquilizer, that
won't cause the same disruptive side effect.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
