Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a disorder that involves involuntary movements. The movements most often affect the lower face. Tardive means delayed and dyskinesia means abnormal movement.

Causes

TD is a serious side effect that occurs when you take medicines called neuroleptics. These drugs are also called antipsychotics or major tranquilizers. They are used to treat mental problems.

TD often occurs when you take the drug for many months or years. In some cases, it occurs after you take them for as little as 6 weeks.

Drugs that most commonly cause this disorder are older antipsychotics, including:

• Chlorpromazine
• Fluphenazine
• Haloperidol
• Perphenazine
• Prochlorperazine
• Thioridazine
• Trifluoperazine

Newer antipsychotics seem less likely to cause TD, but they are not entirely without risk.

Other drugs that can cause TD include:

• Metoclopramide (treats stomach problem called gastroparesis )

  Gastroparesis

  Gastroparesis is a condition that reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents. It does not involve a blockage (obstruction).

  

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• Antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, phenelzine, sertraline, trazodone
• Antiparkinson drugs such as levodopa
• Antiseizure drugs such as phenobarbital and phenytoin

Symptoms

Symptoms of TD may include:

• Facial grimacing
• Finger movement
• Jaw swinging
• Repetitive chewing
• Tongue thrusting

Treatment

When TD is diagnosed, the health care provider will either have you stop the medicine or switch to another one.

If TD is mild or moderate, various medicines may be tried. Your provider can tell you more about these.

If TD is very severe, a procedure called deep brain stimulation DBS may be tried. DBS uses a device called a neurostimulator to deliver electrical signals to the areas of the brain that control movement.

Outlook (Prognosis)

If diagnosed early, TD may be reversed by stopping the drug that caused the symptoms. Even if the drug is stopped, the involuntary movements may become permanent, and in some cases, may become worse.