Abstract
Akathisia, a prevalent drug-induced movement disorder, is characterized by inner restlessness and an irresistible urge to move. It can occur after starting a new medication, increasing the dose, or switching to another medication. It is commonly associated with, but not limited to antipsychotic use. Tacrolimus (TAC), an immunosuppressant vital for preventing acute rejection post-solid organ transplantation, has been linked to various neurological side effects. Neurotoxic side effects of TAC may include headache, seizures, tremor, encephalopathy, and peripheral pain. This report details a case of TAC-induced akathisia in a post-cardiac transplant patient, emphasizing the need for heightened clinical suspicion and awareness of this underreported phenomenon. The patient’s symptoms, including restlessness and an inability to sit still, were exacerbated by TAC, prompting a diagnosis and subsequent treatment for akathisia.
Keywords
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.5001/omj.2026.03
- Journal
- Oman Medical Journal, 41(3)
- Publisher
- Oman Medical Specialty Board
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-NC 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Alhowaish, T. S., Alotaibi, Y., AlSudayri, M. S., Alshoshan, A., & Al Qahtani, S. (2026). Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report. Oman Medical Journal, 41(3). https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2026.03
MLA 9
Alhowaish, Thamer S., et al. "Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report." Oman Medical Journal, vol. 41, no. 3, 2026. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2026.03.
Chicago (author–date)
Alhowaish, Thamer S., Yazeed Alotaibi, Meshari S. AlSudayri, Abdulmalik Alshoshan, and Salma Al Qahtani. 2026. "Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report." Oman Medical Journal 41 (3). https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2026.03.
Harvard
Alhowaish, T. S., Alotaibi, Y., AlSudayri, M. S., Alshoshan, A. and Al Qahtani, S. (2026) 'Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report', Oman Medical Journal, 41(3). doi:10.5001/omj.2026.03.
Vancouver
Alhowaish TS, Alotaibi Y, AlSudayri MS, Alshoshan A, Al Qahtani S. Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report. Oman Medical Journal. 2026;41(3). doi:10.5001/omj.2026.03
IEEE
T. S. Alhowaish, Y. Alotaibi, M. S. AlSudayri, A. Alshoshan, and S. Al Qahtani, "Tacrolimus-induced Akathisia in a Post-cardiac Transplant Patient: A Case Report," Oman Medical Journal, vol. 41, no. 3, 2026, doi: 10.5001/omj.2026.03.