Antiemetics, akathisia, and pregnancy.
Gastrointestinal disorders are common in pregnant women. These disorders are often treated with antiemetic medications that block central dopaminergic neurotransmission. Dopamine antagonists can cause akathisia. Hormonal changes and other factors may place pregnant women at increased risk for the development of severe antiemetic-induced akathisia. The mental symptoms that can accompany akathisia can be misinterpreted as primary mental illness. The author reports on the case of a pregnant woman who attempted to injure herself after developing severe antiemetic-induced akathisia.
Wright
Mark T
MT
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. mwright@mcw.edu
D000328:Adult; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006939:Hyperemesis Gravidarum / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology
D000932:Antiemetics