Tardive Dyskinesia Facts

Because tardive dyskinesia (TD) is considered a “rare” disease by the National Organization for Rare Disorders, facts about the condition are not always well-known, and many people may not have even heard of the disorder. For those patients who have developed TD, the harsh realities of the disease are only too well-known. The following list explains some of the important facts about TD.

TD is caused by the use of certain drugs.

Tardive dyskinesia is a condition that does not develop on its own due to aging or other natural causes. Instead, TD can develop from the use of certain medications, including antipsychotics that block dopamine in the brain and cause the nerves to become hypersensitive to the chemical. The drugs that most often cause TD include antiemetics (treatments for nausea and vomiting such as metoclopramide), neuroleptic or anti-psychotic medications, tricyclic antidepressants, and Levodopa, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

TD develops after a few months of treatment with medications that cause the disease.

Tardive means “late onset,” which indicates that certain drugs that cause TD are often used for an extended period of time before symptoms of the disorder appear. With metoclopramide treatment, the time period is usually about 90 days, but it can be less for elderly patients. While most cases of TD develop after at least three months of treatment with certain drugs, sometimes the disorder does not appear until months after treatment has stopped.

TD affects up to 20 percent of all pepole who use metoclopramide for longer than the recommended 90 days of treatment.

According to FDA analyses of studies published in 2009, metoclopramide is the most common cause of drug-induced movement disorders such as tardive dyskinesia. One FDA analysis revealed that about 20 percent of patients taking metoclopramide for gastrointestinal disorders used the medication for longer than three months, which increases the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.

FDA warnings on Reglan (metoclopramide) packaging indicate that a 20 percent prevalence of TD exists among patients treated for at least three months with the medication. Elderly patients are at the highest risk for developing the disease after long-term use of metoclopramide. Younger patients taking metoclopramide can also develop TD.

TD is most often characterized by abnormal and involuntary body movements.

Usually, the involuntary movements associated with TD appear in the facial area and may include lip smacking or pursing, eye blinking, tongue protrusion, cheek puffing, and grimacing. Victims may also tap their fingers or toes or suffer spasms in the arms or legs. In severe cases, breathing and swallowing may be affected. The movements are generally irregular and do not follow a particular pattern, though they do stop during sleep.

In many cases, TD is permanent and irreversible.

Sometimes, symptoms of the disease can gradually diminish over time, especially if use of the offending drug is stopped. Earlier treatment means a better chance of recovery, though some slight TD movements may persist for the remainder of a victim’s life.

There is presently no cure for TD.

In clinical studies, certain drugs show promise in the treatment of TD, but there is currently no cure or standard treatment. Vitamins and other natural supplements sometimes offer help for TD victims. Clinical trials are underway to test new or existing drugs and therapies that may help in treating the disorder.

Sources:

http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Tardive%20Dyskinesia
http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm149533.htm
http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Tardive_Dyskinesia.htm
http://www.nmha.org/go/information/get-info/tardive-dyskinesia
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/UCM111376.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/272620