A case of respiratory akathisia in a cancer patient: a case report.
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.
Sunakawa
Yu
Y
Department of Clinical-Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, Japan. yu_s@saitama-med.ac.jp
Wada
Makoto
M
Nishida
Tomomi
T
Wada
Mei
M
Araki
Kazuhiro
K
Endo
Hisashi
H
Nagashima
Fumio
F
Ichikawa
Wataru
W
Miya
Toshimichi
T
Onishi
Hideki
H
Narabayashi
Masaru
M
Sasaki
Yasutsuna
Y
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*
D000932:Antiemetics; D001712:Biperiden; D011346:Prochlorperazine