Clarithromycin-induced akathisia: a class effect of macrolides?

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic of the macrolide family, which is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. We report a woman aged 77 years with bronchiectasis who was prescribed oral clarithromycin for lower respiratory tract infection. She developed akathisia after 2 doses. On withdrawing the antibiotic, her symptoms resolved rapidly after 7 days.