Diseases
tardive dyskinesia
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Overview
Tardive dyskinesia is a drug-induced movement disorder. Taking specific medications, often for a mental health disorder, can cause it. Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary (you can't control them) facial tics (sudden movements). It can also cause uncontrollable movements like lip-smacking.
Symptoms
- blinking rapidly.
- chewing motions.
- grimacing or frowning.
- smacking lips or making sucking motions with the mouth.
- sticking out your tongue or probing the inside of your cheeks with your tongue.
Causes
- certain medications cause tardive dyskinesia. these medicines treat mental illness, stomach problems and neurological problems.
- dopamine receptor-blocking medications (dopamine antagonists) are most likely to cause tardive dyskinesia
- antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Risk factors
- diabetes.
- human immunodeficiency virus (hiv).
- substance use disorder.
Diagnosis
- physical exam to assess nervous system functions.
- blood tests and urinalysis to check for infections, illnesses and other problems
- electroencephalogram (eeg) to measure electrical activity in your brain.
- electromyography (emg) to measure communication between muscles and nerves.
Medicines used
Frequently asked questions
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia is a drug-induced movement disorder. Taking specific medications, often for a mental health disorder, can cause it. Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary (you can't control them) facial tics (sudden movements). It can also cause uncontrollable movements like lip-smacking.
What are the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia?
blinking rapidly., chewing motions., grimacing or frowning., smacking lips or making sucking motions with the mouth., sticking out your tongue or probing the inside of your cheeks with your tongue.
What causes tardive dyskinesia?
certain medications cause tardive dyskinesia. these medicines treat mental illness, stomach problems and neurological problems.; dopamine receptor-blocking medications (dopamine antagonists) are most likely to cause tardive dyskinesia; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Which medicines are used for tardive dyskinesia?
melatonin, verapamil
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