Akathisia with Erythromycin: Induced or precipitated?

Objective: A 28-year-old male diagnosed with schizophrenia, maintaining well on Olanzapine, developed akathisia soon after addition of Erythromycin for Pityriasis Rosea. This prompted us to evaluate the relationship of Erythromycin and akathisia.

Method: We report the case and the literature focusing on akathisia as a possible adverse event of Erythromycin.

Results: Akathisia resolved after Erythromycin was stopped following 5 days of treatment. Akathisia was possibly induced or precipitated with use of Erythromycin. Possible etiological reasons of this clinically significant association are discussed.

Conclusion: Erythromycin, by itself, may induce akathisia or precipitate akathisia in individuals by interfering with metabolism of other culprit drugs.