Orphan Australia - Tardive Dyskynesia

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This patient educational material on this website does not provide all available information about this condition and is not intended as a substitute for seeking professional medical care and advice. If you have any further questions or concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.

TARDIVE DYSKINESIA (TD)

What isTardive Dsykinesia?
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a serious, potentially irreversible neurological disorder that can appear at any age. TD is a side effect of long-term use of neuroleptic agents (especially the typical antipsychotic e.g. phenothiazines) or other drugs, and is characterised by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements. Once any symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia start to appear, the neuroleptic (antipsychotic) agent should be discontinued. It has been estimated that about 25-50 percent of patients who have been taking neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs for more than 6 months will be affected.

What causes Tardive Dyskinesia?
The underlying cause of this condition is believed to be a result of excessive stimulation of a certain chemical pathway (dopaminergic system) within the basal ganglia region of the brain, where the messages to initiate muscle contractions is affected. The clinical features of TD are similar to those of Huntington’s disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia?
The signs and symptoms of TD involve repetitive and uncontrollable movement of various body parts, including some of the following:

Arms
Body trunk
Eyes (e.g. rapid eye blinking
Facial muscles (e.g. grimacing, puckering)
Fingers
Jaw
Legs
Lips (e.g. lip smacking)
Mouth (e.g. pursing)
Tongue (e.g. tongue protrusion)

How is Tardive Dyskinesia diagnosed?
Tardive Dyskinesia is diagnosed on the basis of the patient’s history and clinical presentation. It is important to note that not all abnormal involuntary movements experienced by neuroleptic-treated patients are classified as TD. There are number of other clinical conditions e.g. Huntington’s disease, that may produce abnormal involuntary movements that are similar to those experienced by TD patients. Thus the diagnosis of TD is based on extensive medical history assessment.

What is the prognosis?
Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia may remain long after discontinuation of neuroleptic drugs; however, with careful management, some symptoms may improve and/or disappear with time.

What treatment options are there? Can Tardive Dyskinesia be treated?
There is no standard treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia. Management of this condition is highly individualised. The first step is generally to stop or minimise the use of the neuroleptic drug. Next is to control and reduce any symptoms of TD.

Various medications including tetrabenazine are available to treat TD and/or assist in relieving some of the symptoms of the condition; your doctor will be able to advise you on this.

Remember, your doctor is the best source of information regarding you and your health. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about your health, your condition or your medication.

The information is intended for use only by customers, patients and health care professionals within Australia. Countries outside Australia may have regulatory and legal requirements, and available medical treatments, which are different than those in Australia.

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Orphan Australia Pty Ltd. 48 Kangan Drive, Berwick Victoria, 3806 Australia
Telephone : 61 3 9769 5744 ----- Facsimile : 61 3 9769 5944 ----- Email : info@orphan.com.au

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