Tardive dyskinesia(TD) is a drug-induced disorder that causes involuntary movements like grimacing and lip-smacking.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
What Causes Tardive Dyskinesia?
These drugs are classified as neuroleptic, meaning that they block dopamine receptors in the brain.
Illustration by Mira Norian for Verywell Health
By preventing the stimulation of these receptors bydopamine, symptoms ofpsychosis(particularlyschizophrenia) can be relieved.
Tardive dyskinesia symptomsare characterized by involuntary repetitive movements ranging from mild to severe.
What Is My Risk of Getting Tardive Dyskinesia?
Can Tardive Dyskinesia Be Reversed?
Even if action is taken, the odds of reversibility are relatively low.
Of those who do, it may take up to three years for symptoms to fully reverse.
At that time, the standard approach was to stop or change the dosage of the causative drug.
There is little evidence that the practice is consistently useful.
How Effective Are Ingrezza and Austedo?
Can Tardive Dyskinesia Be Prevented?
On the other hand, there is no evidence that vitamin E can reverse TD once it develops.
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