Aripiprazole in Tardive Dyskinesia: Is it a Safe Choice?

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a potentially irreversible drug-induced movement disorder associated with prolonged administration of antipsychotics. Conventionally, first generation antipsychotics were the agents thought to have a higher risk of TD as compared to second and third generation antipsychotics. Aripiprazole is a third generation antipsychotic with a novel mechanism of action, and until recently, cases of drug-induced movement disorders were less well known with it. But off late, several cases of TD with aripiprazole have been reported. We present here a case of middle-aged women with preexisting tardive movements, which exacerbated with aripiprazole use and reduced in frequency and intensity on withdrawal of the drug.