Metoclopramide in tardive dyskinesia

The effect of single intravenous doses of metoclopramide (10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg) have been compared with placebo (saline) in a double blind randomised study in 10 patients with tardive dyskinesia following long term neuroleptic therapy. Tardive dyskinesia rating scores were decreased significantly (P<0.01) 6 hours after administration of metoclopramide 20 mg and 40 mg when compared with placebo. Reduction of tardive dyskinesia by metoclopramide-a D(2)receptor blocking agent suggest that D(2)receptors may be involved in the mediation of this syndrome.