Dyskinesia

Tardive Dystonia Causes

Tardive dystonia often develops due to the use of certain neuroleptic agents and other antipsychotic medications. These drugs are generally used to treat individuals with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Tardive dystonia can also develop as a result of the use of certain antidepressants and gastrointestinal agents.

Not everyone who takes one of these medications will develop tardive dystonia, and the scientific community has not definitively determined why some patients develop the condition while others do not. However, patients who undergo long-term treatment with medications that cause tardive dystonia generally experience the condition at higher rates than patients who undergo treatment with the medications for shorter periods of time.

The following medications have been associated with tardive dyskinesia:

  • Acetophenazine (Tindal)
  • Amoxapine (Asendin)
  • Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
  • Fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin)
  • Haloperidol (Haldol)
  • Loxapine (Loxitane, Daxolin)
  • Mesoridazine (Serentil)
  • Metoclopramide (Reglan)
  • Molindone (Lindone, Moban)
  • Perphanzine (Trilafrom, Triavil)
  • Piperacetazine (Quide)
  • Prochlorperazine (Compazine, Combid)
  • Promazine (Sparine)
  • Promethazine (Phenergan)
  • Thiethylperazine (Torecan)
  • Thioridazine (Mellaril)
  • Thiothixene (Navane)
  • Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
  • Triflupromazine (Vesprin)
  • Trimeprazine (Temaril-P)

Why do medications cause tardive dystonia?

While the exact mechanism by which these medications cause tardive dystonia is not clearly understood, experts believe the disorder may develop when dopamine receptor blockers cause nerves to become hypersensitive to chemicals released by the drugs. Some research suggests the medications may act as triggers in patients already predisposed to dystonia.

Who is more likely to develop tardive dystonia?

Patients undergoing long-term treatment with medications that carry risks of tardive dystonia are more likely than others to develop the condition. Also, the younger an individual begins treatment with medications that can cause tardive dystonia, the earlier the onset of the condition. Tardive dystonia is usually irreversible when developed in patients who have undergone treatment with neuroleptics for more than 10 years.

Tardive dystonia has an earlier mean onset age than that of many other dystonic disorders. Men are more likely than women to develop the condition at a younger age.
Young patients generally first exhibit tardive dystonia symptoms in the lower limbs, while older patients usually experience their first symptoms in the facial region.

Sources:

Free information packet on Tardive Dyskinesia
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