How is tardive dyskinesia (TD) prevented?

Updated: Oct 17, 2018
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Primary prevention of TD by using the lowest effective dose of neuroleptic for the shortest period is recommended. When TD is diagnosed, reduce or discontinue the causative agent if possible. [33, 34, 42, 43, 41, 49, 35, 36, 37, 38] The risk of a permanent movement disorder must be weighed against the risks of exacerbating psychosis. In addition, TD may worsen initially after neuroleptics are discontinued.

Atypical neuroleptics may control psychosis while reducing the risk of TD. Whereas traditional neuroleptics primarily block dopamine D2 receptors, atypical neuroleptics bind variably to dopaminergic, serotonergic, alpha-adrenergic, histaminic, and muscarinic receptors.

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