Tardive dyskinesiais a disabling side effect of medications most often used to treat mental health disorders.
It causes involuntary and repetitive movements, usually in the tongue and face.
Experts are not yet sure why certain medications increase the likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19.
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There are no reports of complications specifically associated with having tardive dyskinesia and COVID-19.
There were no new cases of tardive dyskinesia.
In contrast to the experience from the 1918 influenza, there are very few movement disorders associated with COVID-19.
A person should only make these types of changes in consultation with their prescribing healthcare provider.
At higher doses, this medication can make people sleepy.
There are no documented risks of taking amantadine for tardive dyskinesia if a person has COVID-19.
Some experts think that ginkgo biloba could provide anti-inflammatory and immune system modulation in patients with influenza and COVID-19.
The leaves of ginkgo biloba contain a protein that might inhibit SARS-CoV-2 activity.
There are not any documented risks of taking ginkgo biloba for tardive dyskinesia if a person has COVID-19.
Both medicines were approved by the FDA in 2017 to treat tardive dyskinesia.
Tetrabenazine is in the same class of medication and is used off-label to treat tardive dyskinesia.
There is no clear evidence that using this class of medication leads to complications related to COVID-19.
How to Stay Safe
The best way to protect yourself and others is toget vaccinated for COVID-19.
People with tardive dyskinesia should stay in touch with their healthcare providers and monitor their symptoms.
They should continue taking prescribed medication and discuss any changes with their prescribing provider.
The information in this article is current as of the date listed.
As new research becomes available, well update this article.
For the latest on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tardive dyskinesiaaffects people who have been taking antipsychotic medications for a long time.
Tardive dyskinesia is more common in people who take first-generation antipsychotics like haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine.
Talk to your healthcare provider about your medications and whether they can lead to movement problems.
The CDC highly recommendsCOVID-19 vaccinationfor all eligible people.
The vaccines are safe and effective.
Public health and government officials recommend that eligible people receive the first vaccination available to them.
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