Could my bipolar medication cause involuntary movements?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 55-year-old man who has been taking psychiatric medication for bipolar disorder for approximately 10 years. Recently, I have begun experiencing involuntary facial movements, including persistent chewing motions and tongue protrusion. My family has also observed repetitive movements in my fingers and hands that I am unable to control. These movements occur even when I am at rest and are becoming increasingly noticeable and embarrassing in social settings.

I am concerned that these symptoms may be related to my medications. Could this be a possible side effect, and are there treatment options available that may help manage or reduce these movements?

Please guide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

You might have tardive dyskinesia (TD) if you have signs like chewing motions, tongue movements, and repetitive hand or finger movements. Movement disorder TD can happen after taking certain psychiatric drugs for a long time, especially antipsychotics, which are often recommended for bipolar disorder.

Dopamine routes in the brain change over time, which leads to TD. These moves cannot be stopped on their own, which is a problem. If nothing is done, they may continue or get worse over time.

It is very important to see your doctor right away. If you have TD, your doctor may change the dose of your current medication, switch you to a different treatment, or prescribe FDA-approved drugs like Valbenazine or Deutetrabenazine, which have been shown to help many patients feel a lot better. Supportive treatments, such as speech therapy for the mouth and tongue, may also help.

As TD can affect social confidence and daily living, it is important to get help as soon as possible to improve quality of life and keep mood stable.

I hope this addresses your concern.

Please provide comments and let me know if you have any more questions.

I would be pleased to assist you further.

Thank you.