The movements of tardive dyskinesia may go away after neuroleptic medications are discontinued or reduced.
Sometimes, however, the condition persists even after the causative medication is stopped.
In these situations, prescription medication or interventional procedures can usually alleviate the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Definition
Tardive dyskinesia is not a disease.
It is a medication side effect.
While it is usually noticeable, it can vary in severity.
You cant suppress them, and they can occur at any time.
Tardive dyskinesia can interfere with a persons quality of life.
The movements can be distracting or may make a person feel self-conscious.
Stigma
There is often a stigma associated with tardive dyskinesia.
People who are aware of the effects may be aware of the stigma and the reaction of others.
The stigma of tardive dyskinesia can interfere with socializing, school, and maintaining a professional demeanor at work.
Medication adjustment or other treatment may help alleviate your symptoms.
Many of the medications associated with tardive dyskinesia areantipsychotics.
Second-generation antipsychotics have a lower risk of tardive dyskinesia than first-generation drugs.
Not everyone who uses neuroleptic medications will develop tardive dyskinesia.
There are some risk factors that make the side effect more likely.
Treatment and Prognosis
There are a number of treatment approaches used for managing tardive dyskinesia.
Your healthcare provider may change or reduce your medication if that is possible.
Often, changing or discontinuing the causative medication relieves tardive dyskinesia.
But in approximately two-thirds of people, the condition persists even after the causative neuroleptic is stopped.
Interventions include botulinum toxin injection and deep brain stimulation surgery.
Botulinum toxin is an injection that causes paralysis of the targeted muscles so they cant move involuntarily.
The effect lasts for several months at a time and usually requires repeat treatment.
It could be an option for you if only a few muscles are involved in your involuntary movements.
A Word From Verywell
Tardive dyskinesia is a possible consequence of certain medications.
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists.What you gotta know about tardive dyskinesia (TD).
