Managing antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a significant risk of long-term antipsychotic treatment.
• Atypical antipsychotics offer improved treatment options and may reduce TD incidence compared to traditional antipsychotics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the management strategies for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.
• To highlight the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics and tocopherol (vitamin E) in treating TD.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on tardive dyskinesia.
• Assessment of treatment options including monitoring, atypical antipsychotics, and vitamin E.
• Discussion of TD variants and prevention strategies.

Main Results:

• Mild TD may be managed with monitoring using the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS).
• Atypical antipsychotics and tocopherol are effective and well-tolerated treatments for TD.
• TD variants like tardive dystonia and akathisia are more challenging to treat.

Conclusions:

• Prevention of TD is achievable through careful patient selection, low effective dosages, use of atypical antipsychotics, and concurrent tocopherol administration.
• Clinicians can manage TD with increased confidence due to available effective treatments.
• Atypical antipsychotics and vitamin E represent key therapeutic options for TD.