What is Tardive Dyskinesia?

Common Symptoms of TD

Symptoms may be mild or more noticeable and can include:

• Repetitive chewing or lip-smacking
• Sticking out the tongue without control
• Rapid eye blinking
• Grimacing or facial twitching
• Jerky arm or leg movements
• Wiggling fingers or tapping feet

These movements may be uncontrollable, and in some cases, can interfere with daily function, speech, or social interaction.

What Causes TD?

Tardive Dyskinesia is most commonly caused by long-term use of dopamine-blocking medications, including:

• Antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine)
• Antiemetics (e.g., metoclopramide, prochlorperazine)

While these medications are important for treating mental health or stomach conditions, they can alter brain chemistry over time, resulting in TD.

Diagnosing TD

There is no specific test for tardive dyskinesia. Diagnosis is based on:

• Medical history – especially past or current use of dopamine-blocking medications
• Neurological exam – observing patterns of movement during a clinical visit or telehealth session
• Standardized movement rating scales – such as the AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale)

Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia

The goal of treatment is to reduce the movements and improve quality of life.

Medication Adjustments

• Lowering the dose or switching medications may help.
• Always consult your prescribing provider before stopping any medication.

Medications to Treat TD

• Two FDA-approved medications for TD include:
  • Valbenazine (Ingrezza®)
  • Deutetrabenazine (Austedo®)

These drugs can reduce the severity of involuntary movements by targeting dopamine transmission.

Supportive Therapies

• Speech therapy for tongue or facial movements
• Physical/occupational therapy for limb symptoms
• Counseling or support groups to cope with the emotional impact of TD

Living with TD

While TD can be persistent, many people experience improvement with the right treatment plan.