Focus on lower risk of tardive dyskinesia with atypical antipsychotics

Henry A Nasrallah1

  • 1Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Abstract

Insights

First-generation antipsychotics increase tardive dyskinesia (TD) risk, a serious neurological complication. Second-generation antipsychotics show a lower TD risk, becoming the preferred treatment due to safer profiles.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a severe iatrogenic neurological complication linked to first-generation antipsychotics.
  • Identifying TD risk factors is crucial for managing this irreversible movement disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review risk factors associated with TD.
  • To examine the reduced risk of TD with second-generation antipsychotics.

Main Methods:

  • A Medline literature search was performed.
  • The search focused on risk factors for TD with first-generation antipsychotics and the emerging data on second-generation antipsychotics.

Main Results:

  • Demographic, phenomenological, comorbidity, and treatment variables are associated with increased TD risk.
  • Second-generation antipsychotics demonstrate significantly lower TD rates, even in elderly populations.

Conclusions:

  • Second-generation antipsychotics are now the standard of care for psychosis.
  • Their use has reduced the prevalence of acute movement disorders and TD due to safer extrapyramidal profiles.

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