title: A case of respiratory akathisia in a cancer patient: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been reported that akathisia is a neurological side effect induced by antiemetic drugs and/or antipsychotics. Akathisia can occur in any area of the body, but respiratory akathisia is an unusual type of akathisia. Cases of respiratory akathisia in cancer patients taking antiemetic drugs have not previously been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on a case of a cancer patient taking prochlorperazine as an antiemetic drug who experienced dyspnea accompanied by severe restlessness associated with respiration. By administration of biperiden, his restlessness in respiration and dyspnea promptly disappeared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This finding led us to conclude that this cancer patient was experiencing respiratory akathisia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Respiratory akathisia is uncommon. It is important for cancer patients that dyspnea induced by disease progression be ruled out as a cause of the respiratory restlessness. It is necessary to consider the possibility of akathisia in patients that complain of vague anxiety, chest discomfort, or dyspnea following antipsychotic medication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan. yu_s@saitama-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sunakawa
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wada
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Araki
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Toshimichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miya
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Onishi
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Narabayashi
authors.forename: Yasutsuna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001712:Biperiden / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011346:Prochlorperazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000932:Antiemetics; D001712:Biperiden; D011346:Prochlorperazine