Tardive Dyskinesia is a devastating and sometimes lifelong syndrome for those diagnosed. It affects its victims physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and vocationally.
Tardive Dyskinesia is a neurological syndrome caused by the long-term use of neuroleptic drug. About 20 percent of people taking antipsychotic drugs for more then one year become affected by Tardive Dyskinesia. It is characterized by constant movements of the mouth, tongue, jaw, and cheeks. Neuroleptic drugs associated with Tardive Dyskinesia include:
- Abilify (aripiprazole)
- Clozaril (clozapine)
- Etrafon (perphenazine, amitriptyline)
- Geodon (ziprasidone)
- Haldol (haloperidol)
- Loxitane (loxapine)
- Mellaril (thioridazine)
- Moban (molindone)
- Navane (thiothixene)
- Orap (pimozide)
- Permitil and Prolixin (fluphenazine)
- Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan (promethazine)
- Reglan (Metoclopramide)
- Risperdal (risperidone)
- Serentil (mesoridazine)
- Seroquel (quetiapine)
- Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
- Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
- Triavil and Trilafon (perphenazine, amitriptyline)
- Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Signs & Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia
Signs and Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia include tongue thrusting, repetitive chewing, jaw swinging, or facial grimacing. Tardive Dyskinesia symptoms can range from mild to severe, based on the frequency and intensity of the movements.
Treatment Options
Primary prevention of Tardive Dyskinesia is achieved by using the lowest effective dose of a neuroleptic for the shortest time. If Tardive Dyskinesia is diagnosed, the causative drug should be reduced or discontinued if possible. Unfortunately, that is not always feasible. Replacing the neuroleptic drug with substitute drugs may help some patients. Also, improvement is sometimes seen when benzodiazepines, adrenergic antagonists, and dopamine agonists are used.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
