Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological movement disorder that is triggered by certain medications, especially those prescribed for psychiatric or neurological conditions. Individuals with tardive dyskinesia often make involuntary movements or experience facial tics. Moreover, research studies suggest that 20% to 50% of people develop the condition while undergoing other major treatments. Knowing its symptoms and understanding the triggering causes is important for a proper diagnosis and management of the condition.

What is tardive dyskinesia?
Tardive literally means delayed, while dyskinesia means sudden muscle movements. There’s usually a gap between the start of the medication and the development of the symptoms. This makes it difficult to know early on whether a particular treatment will cause these side effects or work well for a patient.

Who may develop the condition?
While tardive dyskinesia can affect any person of any age or gender, those with certain pre-existing conditions like diabetes, HIV, and traumatic brain injury may be especially vulnerable to it.

Symptoms
Repetitive, uncontrolled, and writhing movements, especially of the limbs, face, and torso, are common symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. These movements may be fast or slow and can significantly affect one’s daily life. Most symptoms may appear one to six months from the start of a particular treatment, but some may take years to develop. One should look for some common signs after a neuroleptic medication or treatment begins.

• Blinking too often
• Smacking or puckering lips without intention
• Sticking out the tongue
• Tapping toes
• Puffing cheeks
• Pelvic thrusting
• Odd or significant changes in gait
• Frowning unintentionally
• Moving the torso from side to side

Causes
Healthcare experts do not know what exactly triggers tardive dyskinesia, but they believe dopamine receptor-blocking medications may be the reason for it. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that sends signals to the brain to control bodily movements. Certain medications interfere with this signaling. The brain then attempts to compensate for the reduced dopamine activity and develops hypersensitivity to the dopamine receptors, which leads to the above-mentioned symptoms .

Mostly, treatments prescribed for conditions like bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, epilepsy, psychosis, schizophrenia, and even some gastrointestinal issues like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may lead to tardive dyskinesia.

Treatments
To begin with, a doctor will assess the severity of one’s movements, whether the patient is aware of these movements, whether they stem from medication or distress, and whether they change after making adjustments in medications . If the medications are found to be the issue, the healthcare professional may gradually reduce their quantity. This may happen over stages with careful monitoring of the symptoms of both conditions. In some severe cases, the medication may be discontinued entirely or the treatment may be switched.

A healthcare professional can also prescribe medications like INGREZZA® or INGREZZA® SPRINKLE (valbenazine) specifically to control the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. This treatment option selectively and particularly targets a specific protein that aids in the release of dopamine. It helps reduce abnormal dopamine signaling, which causes the onset of the condition.

Having said that, one should remember not everyone develops tardive dyskinesia symptoms. But, being aware of the signs and causes and seeking professional help immediately may help manage the disorder.