UC Irvine Health System
01/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/10/2025 17:02
Tardive dyskinesia: A serious side effect of certain medications
Tardive dyskinesia: A serious side effect of certain medications
Up to 50% of people taking antipsychotic drugs could develop condition, says UCI Health neurologist
January 10, 2025
IN THE NEWS: Antipsychotic medications are an effective treatment for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Also known as neuroleptic medications, they come with a host of side effects including a serious one called tardive dyskinesia. UCI Health neurologist Dr. Sanaz Attaripour Isfahani spoke to Health Central about the condition, which causes repetitive, involuntary movements.
"Movements can occur in various parts of the body, including the face, mouth or limbs. Some 20% to 50% of people taking neuroleptics will develop TD."
Isfahani says other drugs can cause the condition.
"Certain anti-nausea medications, like metoclopramide, can also lead to TD."
Isfahani sees patients at UCI Health Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Services and is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at UC Irvine School of Medicine. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease, ataxia, tremor syndromes and dystonia.
Her clinical interests include the use of deep brain stimulation and other technologies to treat movement disorders, and the pharmacologic management of neurological disorders, such as botulinum toxin injections for focal dystonia, spasticity and dystonic movements.
Isafahani is the author or co-author of numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and a frequent presenter at major national and regional conferences.