What is Tardive Dyskinesia?

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Basic information about Tardive Dyskinesia

​Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable movements of the face, torso, limbs and fingers or toes.1-4 The condition is associated with use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.3,5*
TD is an involuntary movement disorder associated with the use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses such as:
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective disorder2-4*
*Certain prescription medicines (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine) used to treat gastrointestinal disorders may also cause TD.
What Causes TD?

​TD is associated with the use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses, such as3,5:
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective disorder
Certain prescription medicines (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine) used to treat gastrointestinal disorders may also cause TD.6,7
How Does TD Affect Daily Lives

The abnormal, involuntary and repetitive movements of TD can negatively impact people physically, socially and emotionally.12 Even mild uncontrollable body movements from TD could have emotional and social consequences.12 These movements can cause worry, frustration and self-consciousness.1,13,14
How is TD Treated?

​Earlier recognition and treatment of TD can make a positive impact for many people living with a mental illness, including in the lives of their loved ones and care partners. U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment options are available for TD.
References
  1. Task Force on Tardive Dyskinesia. Tardive Dyskinesia: A Task Force Report of the American Psychiatric Association. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 1992.
  2. Cloud LJ, Zutshi D, Factor SA. Tardive dyskinesia: therapeutic options for an increasingly common disorder. Neurotherapeutics. 2014;11(1):166-176. doi:10.1007/s13311-013-0222-5
  3. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2023.
  4. Guy W. ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology. Rev. 1976. U.S. Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, National Institute of Mental Health, Psychopharmacology
    Research Branch, Division of Extramural Research Programs; 1976.
  5. Caroff SN, Hurford I, Lybrand J, Campbell EC. Movement disorders induced by antipsychotic drugs: implications of the CATIE schizophrenia trial. Neurol Clin. 2011;29(1):127-148.
    doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2010.10.002
  6. Kenney C, Hunter C, Davidson A, Jankovic J. Metoclopramide, an increasingly recognized cause of tardive dyskinesia. J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;48(3):379-384. doi:10.1177/0091270007312258
  7. Sanger GJ, Andrews PLR. A history of drug discovery for treatment of nausea and vomiting and the implications for future research. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:913. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00913
  8. Data on file. Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
  9. Keepers GA, Fochtmann LJ, Anzia JM, et al. The American Psychiatric Association practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2020;177(9):868-872. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.177901
  10. Seeman MV. Interaction of sex, age, and neuroleptic dose. Compr Psychiatry. 1983;24(2):125-128. doi:10.1016/0010-440x(83)90100-1
  11. Miller DD, McEvoy JP, Davis SM, et al. Clinical correlates of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia: baseline data from the CATIE schizophrenia trial. Schizophr Res. 2005;80(1):33-43. doi:10.1016/j. schres.2005.07.034
  12. Ascher-Svanum H, Zhu B, Faries D, Peng X, Kinon BJ, Tohen M. Tardive dyskinesia and the 3-year course of schizophrenia: results from a large, prospective, naturalistic study. J Clin Psychiatry. 2008;69(10):1580-1588. doi:10.4088/jcp. v69n1008
  13. Boumans CE, de Mooij KJ, Koch PA, van‘t Hof MA, Zitman FG. Is the social acceptability of psychiatric patients decreased by orofacial dyskinesia? Schizophr Bull. 1994;20(2):339-344. doi:10.1093/schbul/20.2.339
  14. Yassa R. Functional impairment in tardive dyskinesia: medical and psychosocial dimensions. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1989;80(1):64-67. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb01301.x