Reduce the risk of drug-induced tardive syndromes by minimizing exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agents whenever possible

Abstract

Dopamine receptor blocking agents may cause tardive dyskinesia and, because of this risk, only carefully selected patients should be given these agents. Although atypical antipsychotics are less likely to cause tardive dyskinesia than typical agents, the risk remains. When switching or withdrawing a dopamine receptor blocking agent, the dose should be tapered slowly. The preferred drug for treating patients with moderate to severe tardive dyskinesia is the dopamine-depleting agent tetrabenazine.