Akathisia is a medication side effect.  

 

Many people have asked what drug was responsible for J.A.'s movement in the video.  The drug was Latuda, but her first experience with drug-induced akathisia was back in the late 1990s with the drug Zoloft, an SSRI antidepressant. 

 

Her reaction to the drug was labeled as "hypo-mania," and they insisted it "uncovered" an underlying bipolar disorder. According to Dr. Irving Kirtsch, not only are antidepressants clinically ineffective, Dr. Philip Hickey writes that their use as an "uncovering tool" for "latent bipolar disorder" is a myth:  "One can’t prove or disprove the existence of something that is inherently latent.--Dr. Philip Hickey, "Antidepressant-Induced Mania," Mad in America, Jan, 11, 2015

 

So whatever medication(s) caused J.A.'s conditions is not important.  What is important is that numerous drugs cause this side effect and the side effect is largely unknown, undisclosed, and its presentation, avoided.

 

The list below is not meant to be comprehensive; there are now over 500+ medications that cause akathisia, with more being approved each month. The following are a small sample of drugs that have actually have been reported to cause akathisia as a  side effect.

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Just a sampling of drugs that have listed side effects that include akathisia. Please follow the above link to RxISK.org's excellent and thorough list of akathisia-inducing medications.

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• Brand Name: Abilify 
  Generic Name: Aripiprazole

• Brand Name: Aripiprazole Oral Solution 
  Generic Name: Aripiprazole Oral Solution

• Brand Name: Latuda 
  Generic Name: Lurasidone HCL Tablets for Oral Administration

• Brand Name: Saphris 
  Generic Name: Asenapine Sublingual Tablets

• Brand Name: Risperdal 
  Generic Name: Risperidone

• Brand Name: Invega 
  Generic Name: Paliperidone

• Brand Name: Vraylar 
  Generic Name: Cariprazine Capsules

• Brand Name: Seroquel 
  Generic Name: Quetiapine Fumarate

• Brand Name: Seroquel XR 
  Generic Name: Quetiapine Fumarate Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Aripiprazole Tablets 
  Generic Name: Aripiprazole Tablets

• Brand Name: Rexulti 
  Generic Name: Brexpiprazole Tablets

• Brand Name: Xenazine 
  Generic Name: Tetrabenazine Tablets

• Brand Name: Invega Trinza 
  Generic Name: Paliperidone Palmitate Extended-release Injectable Suspension

• Brand Name: Invega Sustenna 
  Generic Name: Paliperidone Palmitate Extended-Release Injectable Suspension

• Brand Name: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis 
  Generic Name: Olanzapine

• Brand Name: Austedo 
  Generic Name: Deutetrabenazine Tablets

• Brand Name: Risperdal Consta 
  Generic Name: Risperidone

• Brand Name: Geodon 
  Generic Name: Ziprasidone

• Brand Name: Abilify Maintena 
  Generic Name: Aripiprazole Extended-Release Injectable Suspension

• Brand Name: Aristada 
  Generic Name: Aripiprazole Lauroxil Extended-release Injection

• Brand Name: Zyprexa Relprevv 
  Generic Name: Olanzapine Extended Release Injectable Suspension

• Brand Name: Brisdelle 
  Generic Name: Paroxetine Capsules 7.5 mg

• Brand Name: Akineton 
  Generic Name: Biperiden

• Brand Name: Inapsine 
  Generic Name: Droperidol

• Brand Name: Ingrezza 
  Generic Name: Valbenazine Capsules

• Brand Name: Moban 
  Generic Name: Molindone Hydrochloride Tablets

• Brand Name: Torecan 
  Generic Name: Thiethylperazine

• Brand Name: Thioridazine 
  Generic Name: Thioridazine

• Brand Name: Mellaril 
  Generic Name: Thioridazine HCl

• Brand Name: Buspar 
  Generic Name: Buspirone

• Brand Name: Remeron 
  Generic Name: Mirtazapine

• Brand Name: Serzone 
  Generic Name: Nefazodone

• Brand Name: Paxil 
  Generic Name: Paroxetine Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Paxil-CR 
  Generic Name: Paroxetine Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Pexeva 
  Generic Name: Paroxetine Mesylate

• Brand Name: Kemadrin 
  Generic Name: Procyclidine Hydrochloride Tablets

• Brand Name: Budeprion XL 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Adasuve 
  Generic Name: Loxapine Inhalation Powder

• Brand Name: Xanax 
  Generic Name: Alprazolam

• Brand Name: Vascor 
  Generic Name: Bepridil

• Brand Name: Camptosar Injection 
  Generic Name: Irinotecan Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Propulsid 
  Generic Name: Cisapride (Removed from US Market)

• Brand Name: Compazine 
  Generic Name: Prochlorperazine

• Brand Name: Compro 
  Generic Name: Prochlorperazine Suppositories

• Brand Name: Eovist 
  Generic Name: Gadoxetate Disodium Injection

• Brand Name: Etrafon 
  Generic Name: Perphenazine and Amitriptyline

• Brand Name: Prolixin 
  Generic Name: Fluphenazine

• Brand Name: Haldol Decanoate 
  Generic Name: Haloperidol Decanoate

• Brand Name: Loxapine 
  Generic Name: Loxapine Succinate

• Brand Name: Loxitane 
  Generic Name: Loxapine

• Brand Name: Reglan 
  Generic Name: Metoclopramide

• Brand Name: Metozolv ODT 
  Generic Name: Metoclopramide Hydrochloride Orally Disintegrating Tablets

• Brand Name: Orap 
  Generic Name: Pimozide

• Brand Name: Permax 
  Generic Name: Pergolide Mesylate

• Brand Name: Perphenazine Tablets 
  Generic Name: Perphenazine

• Brand Name: Mirapex 
  Generic Name: Pramipexole

• Brand Name: Prochlorperazine Maleate Tablets 
  Generic Name: Prochlorperazine Maleate Tablets

• Brand Name: Reglan Injection 
  Generic Name: Metoclopramide Injection

• Brand Name: Reglan ODT 
  Generic Name: Metoclopramide Orally Disintegrating Tablets

• Brand Name: Sublimaze 
  Generic Name: Fentanyl Citrate

• Brand Name: Navane 
  Generic Name: Thiothixene Hcl

• Brand Name: Stelazine 
  Generic Name: Trifluoperazine

• Brand Name: Elavil 
  Generic Name: Amitriptyline

• Brand Name: Amoxapine 
  Generic Name: Amoxapine Tablets

• Brand Name: Aplenzin 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrobromide Tablet

• Brand Name: Zyban 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hcl

• Brand Name: Celexa 
  Generic Name: Citalopram Hydrobromide

• Brand Name: Anafranil 
  Generic Name: Clomipramine Hcl

• Brand Name: Cymbalta 
  Generic Name: Duloxetine Hcl

• Brand Name: Norpramin 
  Generic Name: Desipramine Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Sinequan 
  Generic Name: Doxepin

• Brand Name: Effexor 
  Generic Name: Venlafaxine Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Emsam 
  Generic Name: Selegiline Transdermal System

• Brand Name: Prozac 
  Generic Name: Fluoxetine Hcl

• Brand Name: Luvox 
  Generic Name: Fluvoxamine Maleate Tablets

• Brand Name: Forfivo XL 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Tofranil 
  Generic Name: Imipramine

• Brand Name: Marplan 
  Generic Name: Isocarboxazid

• Brand Name: Lexapro 
  Generic Name: Escitalopram Oxalate

• Brand Name: Limbitrol 
  Generic Name: Chlordiazepoxide Amitriptyline DS Tablets

• Brand Name: Luvox CR 
  Generic Name: Fluvoxamine Maleate Extended-Release Capsules

• Brand Name: Nortriptyline Hydrochloride 
  Generic Name: Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Capsules

• Brand Name: Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral Solution 
  Generic Name: Nortriptyline Hydrochloride Oral Solution

• Brand Name: Oleptro 
  Generic Name: Trazodone Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Pamelor 
  Generic Name: Nortriptyline HCl

• Brand Name: Nardil 
  Generic Name: Phenelzine

• Brand Name: Remeron SolTab 
  Generic Name: Mirtazapine

• Brand Name: Sarafem 
  Generic Name: Fluoxetine Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Savella 
  Generic Name: Milnacipran HCl Tablets

• Brand Name: Strattera 
  Generic Name: Atomoxetine HCl

• Brand Name: Symbyax 
  Generic Name: Olanzapine and fluoxetine

• Brand Name: Tofranil-PM 
  Generic Name: Imipramine Pamoate

• Brand Name: Parnate 
  Generic Name: Tranylcypromine

• Brand Name: Desyrel 
  Generic Name: Trazodone Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Tigan 
  Generic Name: Trimethobenzamide Hydrochloride Capsules

• Brand Name: Surmontil 
  Generic Name: Trimipramine

• Brand Name: Effexor XR 
  Generic Name: Venlafaxine Hydrochloride Extended-Release

• Brand Name: Vivactil 
  Generic Name: Protriptyline Hydrochloride Tablet

• Brand Name: Wellbutrin 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hcl

• Brand Name: Wellbutrin SR 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrochloride Sustained-Release

• Brand Name: Wellbutrin XL 
  Generic Name: Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release

• Brand Name: Zofran Injection 
  Generic Name: Ondansetron Hydrochloride Injection

• Brand Name: Baclofen Injection 
  Generic Name: Baclofen Injection

• Brand Name: Cesamet 
  Generic Name: Nabilone Capsules

• Brand Name: Clozaril 
  Generic Name: Clozapine

• Brand Name: Fanapt 
  Generic Name: Iloperidone Tablets

• Brand Name: Fazaclo 
  Generic Name: Clozapine

• Brand Name: Fentanyl Citrate Injection 
  Generic Name: Fentanyl Citrate Injection

• Brand Name: Cerebyx 
  Generic Name: Fosphenytoin Sodium Injection

• Brand Name: Gablofen 
  Generic Name: Baclofen Injection

• Brand Name: Haldol 
  Generic Name: Haloperidol Injection

• Brand Name: Lamictal XR 
  Generic Name: Lamotrigine Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Lamictal 
  Generic Name: Lamotrigine

• Brand Name: Mirapex ER 
  Generic Name: Pramipexole Dihydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Niravam 
  Generic Name: Alprazolam

• Brand Name: Feldene 
  Generic Name: Piroxicam

• Brand Name: Zoloft 
  Generic Name: Sertraline Hcl

• Brand Name: Cognex 
  Generic Name: Tacrine

• Brand Name: Versacloz 
  Generic Name: Clozapine Oral Suspension

• Brand Name: Vfend 
  Generic Name: Voriconazole

• Brand Name: Viibryd 
  Generic Name: Vilazodone Hydrochloride

• Brand Name: Brintellix 
  Generic Name: Vortioxetine Tablets

• Brand Name: Contrave 
  Generic Name: Naltrexone HCl and Bupropion HCl Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Fetzima 
  Generic Name: Levomilnacipran) Extended-release Capsules

• Brand Name: Khedezla 
  Generic Name: Desvenlafaxine Extended-release Tablets

• Brand Name: Pristiq 
  Generic Name: Desvenlafaxine Extended-Release Tablets

• Brand Name: Trintellix 
  Generic Name: Vortioxetine Tablets