olanzapine and Tardive-Dyskinesia

Long-term use of antipsychotics or other dopamine antagonists can result in the extrapyramidal side effect of tardive dyskinesia (TD).Case presentation: An 18-year-old female patient experienced abnormal speech and behavior and because of an equivocal diagnosis, she was given daily doses of 300 mg of quetiapine and 60 mg of ziprasidone. She had used these medications for 2 years before the appearance of involuntary abnormal movements. These movements, which were classified as TD, steadily worsened and markedly interfered with her daily life. Following a trial-and-error course of therapy with vitamin E, vitamin B6, amantadine, valproic acid sodium, lorazepam, and diazepam, the drugs were gradually reduced and stopped, yet the aberrant movements persisted. Finally, the patient was given olanzapine, clonazepam, baclofen, and gabapentin. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale was used to assess changes in the patient's condition. Her TD was efficiently managed through co-administration of olanzapine, clonazepam, baclofen, and gabapentin.. The possibility of TD inducing by antipsychotic use is a clinical concern, even though atypical antipsychotics decrease the incidence of extrapyramidal side effects, and it cannot be entirely excluded. This report provides useful insights into the management of TD and will help clinicians manage similar cases.

Topics: Adolescent; Antipsychotic Agents; Baclofen; Clonazepam; Female; Gabapentin; Humans; Olanzapine; Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesias (TD) are serious, often irreversible side effects of dopamine blocking agents, most commonly first-generation antipsychotics. No definitive treatment exists, with different interventions showing inconsistent results. We report a case of TD presenting after 12 years of olanzapine therapy in a 66-year-old Hispanic male with paranoid schizophrenia. The TD symptoms were successfully treated within a few weeks by switching to clozapine. Two cases of olanzapine-induced TD treated with clozapine have previously been reported, but in those cases, the symptom onset was quicker, ranging from a few months to a few years after initiation of olanzapine therapy, and the treatment response was relatively slower. Clinicians should carefully monitor for symptoms of TD after prolonged treatment with olanzapine and other antipsychotics. If otherwise indicated for psychiatric treatment, clozapine can be considered a good choice for patients with TD in preventing or reversing the debilitating consequences of this condition.

Topics: Aged; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Clozapine; Humans; Male; Olanzapine; Schizophrenia, Paranoid; Tardive Dyskinesia