D2I2.
neurological

Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is an iatrogenic disorder that results in involuntary repetitive body movements, which may include grimacing, sticking out the tongue or smacking the lips, which occurs following treatment with medication. Additional motor symptoms include chorea or athetosis. In about 20% of people with TD, the disorder interferes with daily functioning. If TD is present in the setting of a long-term drug therapy, reversibility can be determined primarily by severity of symptoms and how long symptoms have been present before the long-term drug has been stopped.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Involuntary, repetitive body movements

Causes — why it happens

  • ·Neuroleptic medications (antipsychotics), metoclopramide

How it's found

  • ·Based on symptoms after ruling out other potential causes

Prevention

  • ·Using lowest possible dose of neuroleptic medication

Treatment

  • ·Stopping neuroleptic medication if possible, switching to clozapine

Outlook

  • ·Variable
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.