Can tardive dyskinesia improve with treatment and care?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
This is really hard to even type out, but my dad is 63 and was diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia about a year ago after being on psychiatric medication for a long time.
The involuntary movements in his face and mouth have gotten so noticeable that he refuses to go out to eat with us or attend any family functions anymore. He told me last week that he feels like people stare at him constantly, and he would rather just stay home.
Why does TD at 63 cause such severe social embarrassment that people avoid going out completely, and is there anything that can actually help him feel more like himself again?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Valbenazine 80 milligrams once daily is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for tardive dyskinesia. Other FDA-approved agents are Tetrabenazine and Deutetrabenazine. Long-duration use of antipsychotics and long-standing tardive dyskinesia are not good prognostic factors. However, remission is still very much possible.
Remission in tardive dyskinesia is very likely, with some resistant cases. However, with Valbenazine, switching antipsychotics, preferably to Clozapine, and other adjunctive treatments such as high-dose vitamin E and vitamin B6, Clonazepam in divided doses, and Amantadine, etc., are used according to response and tolerance to manage tardive dyskinesia symptoms effectively.
With drug therapy, regular physical exercise, and avoidance of some tremor stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol are advised. Spontaneous remission is much less likely in tardive dyskinesia. Therefore, targeted therapy is recommended.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Related Questions
Do antipsychotics and antidepressants interact with Nicotex?
Can targeted therapy help manage breast cancer in the elderly?
Can antipsychotics cause hormonal imbalance in women?
Is tardive dyskinesia and perimenopause manageable at age 41?
Can tardive dyskinesia affect a woman's fertility at age 34?
Is targeted therapy better for upper tract urothelial cancer?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.