Every medication comes with potential side effects. Sometimes the reaction to a drug is mild, such as slight drowsiness or muscle aches. These symptoms are typically temporary and fade with discontinued use of the medication. Other drugs have serious side effects that can permanently impair a person and change his or her life forever. Tardive dyskinesia is one of these side effects.
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia is a rare neurological disorder characterized by stiff, involuntary movements of the face and jaw. People affected by tardive dyskinesia may blink their eyes, grimace, or make fish-like movements with their mouths. In some cases, the arms or legs may be affected.
What causes tardive dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia is caused by taking neuroleptic drugs. These antipsychotic medications are often prescribed to treat schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. Neuroleptic drugs block dopamine, a chemical responsible for helping the body’s cells communicate and making the muscles move smoothly. When a person doesn’t have enough dopamine, they can develop symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
In most patients, tardive dyskinesia develops with long-term use of antipsychotic medication, usually three months or longer. However, there are documented cases of tardive dyskinesia following a single dose of medication. Older versions of neuroleptics are more likely to cause tardive dyskinesia, including chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and haloperidol.
Drugs prescribed to treat nausea, reflux, and other gastrointestinal issues can also cause tardive dyskinesia with long-term use. These medications include metoclopramide and prochlorperazine.
What treatments are currently available for tardive dyskinesia?
As soon as a patient exhibits signs of tardive dyskinesia, a doctor will discontinue or lower the dose of his or her medication if safe to do so. The medication may be replaced with an “atypical” neuroleptic drug, though these medications can also cause or perpetuate tardive dyskinesia. In 2017, the medications Ingrezza (valbenazine) and Austedo (deutetrabenazine) were FDA approved to treat adults with tardive dyskinesia. They work by regulating the flow of dopamine to areas of the brain that control movement.
Is there a cure for tardive dyskinesia?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for tardive dyskinesia. While the condition isn’t life threatening, it can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life. Luckily, there are ongoing medical studies being performed to test the efficacy of new therapies that could improve or eliminate the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia completely.
Do you suffer from tardive dyskinesia? You may qualify for a research study.
While there is no cure for tardive dyskinesia, ongoing research offers hope to those suffering from this neurological disorder. At Synergy Research Centers, we are currently enrolling qualified applicants in a clinical research study that will help doctors understand how tardive dyskinesia affects patients and lead to more effective treatment options.
If you or a loved one is interested in participating in our clinical research study, please contact us. Our 13-week tardive dyskinesia research study is open to adults age 18 to 65 who can commit to 14 visits at our facility in Lemon Grove. Qualified participants will be compensated for their time and receive a stipend at each scheduled visit. Fill out the contact form on our website or call us today at (619) 303-6130 to learn more.