Guide To Diagnosing, Preventing, And Treating Tardive Dyskinesia

Use The Lowest Dosage Of Medication Possible

Because tardive dyskinesia is a complication or adverse side effect that occurs with antipsychotic medications, some affected individuals may be able to ease their symptoms if they use the lowest dosage of medication possible. Antipsychotic medications treat conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses. Tardive dyskinesia typically only occurs in individuals taking antipsychotic medications for three months or longer. The chances of developing tardive dyskinesia increase as an individual's duration of use increases. In addition, the older and more established versions of antipsychotic medications are known to cause tardive dyskinesia more often than the newer versions. Common medications that cause this disorder include prochlorperazine, fluphenazine, thioridazine, metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and trifluoperazine. Typically, one of the first methods used to try and improve an individual's tardive dyskinesia symptoms is to lower the dose of the medicine causing them. This tapering of antipsychotic medications should not be done without direction from a specialized physician, as reducing dosage or stopping these drugs without supervision can be very dangerous. Using the lowest effective dosage is also beneficial at preventing this condition from occurring in the first place.