|
Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment
Primary prevention of Tardive Dyskinesia is achieved by using the lowest effective dose of a neuroleptic for the shortest time. If tardive dyskinesia is diagnosed, the causative drug should be reduced or discontinued if possible. Tardive dyskinesia may persist after withdrawal of the 'offending neuroleptic' for months, years, or even permanently.
There is no known cure for tardive dyskinesia, but preliminary research suggests that the atypical neuroleptic clozapine (Clozaril) may improve the state of the patient. Improvements are also seen in some cases, if the high potency benzodiazepines - lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (Valium), or clonazepam (Klonopin)--are used. The findings about the effects of natural substances, such as vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol) or melatonin, are inconclusive. Treatment with adrenergic blocking agents and dopamine agonists like bromocriptine also remains somewhat controversial. There have been some reports of promising effects from the drug tetrabenazine (a different kind of neuroleptic). On the contrary, most antiparkinsonian drugs worsen the state of the patient.
|
