Tardive Dyskinesia
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a set of symptoms caused by the long-term use of certain medicines. These medicines, called antipsychotics, are generally prescribed to treat severe nervous and emotional conditions and mental illness. They may also be used to treat other conditions.
How does it occur?
You are most at risk of developing TD if you:
- have taken antipsychotic medicine for a long time to control the symptoms of severe mental illness such as schizophrenia
- are taking high doses of antipsychotics (particularly if you are an older adult)
- have recently stopped taking antipsychotic medicine
Some older antipsychotic medicines that may cause tardive dyskinesia include:
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
- fluphenazine (Prolixin)
- haloperidol (Haldol)
- perphenazine (Trilafon)
- thioridazine (Mellaril)
- thiothixene (Navane)
- trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
These medicines may cause TD by changing the balance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Newer antipsychotic medicines are less likely to cause TD.
What are the symptoms?
TD most commonly involves repetitive, involuntary movements. Typical movements include:
- tongue thrusting
- lip smacking
- lip pursing
- grimacing and chewing movements
- rocking of the trunk
- pelvic thrusting
- rotating the ankles or legs
- marching in place
- irregular breathing
- frequent humming or grunting
Symptoms may start a few months to several years after you begin taking these medicines. The movements may be barely noticeable or quite obvious.
How is it diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and examine you. There are no lab tests to confirm TD, but lab tests may be done to rule out other conditions.
How is it treated?
Your healthcare provider may reduce your dosage or replace the medicine you have been taking. The medicine may be replaced with newer antipsychotic medicines such as clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), or aripiprazole (Abilify). Vitamin E may help some people with TD.
How long will the effects last?
You may keep having symptoms of TD long after you stop taking the medicine that caused them. Some symptoms may improve or disappear with time.
What can be done to help prevent tardive dyskinesia?
As healthcare providers learn more about the chemistry of the brain, new medicines are being developed. These new medicines may not be as likely to cause TD symptoms. Vitamin E may help to lessen the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
You should have regular TD tests such as the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) if you are using medicines that may cause TD. The AIMS takes just a few minutes and should be done every 6 months during treatment.
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Published by RelayHealth.
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