Tardive Dyskinesia and Nutrition

Treating tardive dyskinesia (TD) can be difficult, as there is no single drug that can cure the condition. Some medications have been shown to help treat TD symptomatically and reduce the uncomfortable and embarrassing symptoms caused by the disease. However, by treatment TD with yet more medications, there may be addition unwanted side effects.

A number of researchers and doctors have found success in treating the disorder with nutritional changes. Certain vitamins have shown promise in the treatment of TD and its symptoms, which are not always treated when the offending drug is discontinued.

Vitamin B6 and TD Treatment

An issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry from 2001 includes a study concerning the use of vitamin B6 in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Authors of the study found that the movement problems associated with TD were significantly lessened in schizophrenic patients taking vitamin B6 for four weeks, leading them to conclude that vitamin B6, taken in doses of 300 mg per day, is effective in treating the symptoms of TD. Improvements were seen by the third week of treatment.

Melatonin and TD Treatment

A clinical study published in a 2001 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry showed that melatonin can help treat the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Significant improvements were noted in patients taking 10 mg melatonin per day for six weeks.

Other Vitamins and Supplements

Other vitamins that have demonstrated some success in halting or lessening the involuntary movements associated with TD include vitamins B3, B4, and B5, as well as vitamins C and E. Lecithin has also been used successfully in some cases, as has the amino acid tryptophan.

Patients with TD should never self-administer these vitamins or supplements without first consulting their doctor. Some nutritional aids or natural substances can interfere with the absorption of other drugs or cause additional negative interactions, resulting in serious reactions or even death.

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