Remission of irreversible aripiprazole-induced tardive dystonia with clozapine: a case report

Neurosurgical and pharmacological management of dystonia

Dystonia characterizes a group of neurological movement disorders characterized by abnormal muscle movements, often with repetitive or sustained contraction resulting in abnormal posturing. Different types of dystonia present based on the affected body regions and play a prominent role in determining the potential efficacy of a given intervention. For most patients afflicted with these disorders, an exact cause is rarely identified, so treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic alleviation. Pharmacological agents, such as oral anticholinergic administration and botulinum toxin injection, play a major role in the initial treatment of patients. In more severe and/or refractory cases, focal areas for neurosurgical intervention are identified and targeted to improve quality of life. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets these anatomical locations to minimize dystonia symptoms. Surgical ablation procedures and peripheral denervation surgeries also offer potential treatment to patients who do not respond to DBS. These management options grant providers and patients the ability to weigh the benefits and risks for each individual patient profile. This review article explores these pharmacological and neurosurgical management modalities for dystonia, providing a comprehensive assessment of each of their benefits and shortcomings.

A systematic review on the use of clozapine in treatment of tardive dyskinesia and tardive dystonia in patients with psychiatric disorders

RATIONALE

Though clozapine is recommended for treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD) relating to the use of antipsychotic medications, studies comprehensively investigating the treatment effect of clozapine on TD are still limited.

OBJECTIVES

This review examines the effectiveness of clozapine as an intervention for tardive dyskinesia and dystonia in patients with all psychiatric conditions. Effectiveness of clozapine, duration to exert the effect and dosage used were also analysed.

METHODS

A search in the PubMed, PsycINFO and clinicaltrials databases was performed, using the search terms "Clozapine" AND "dyskinesia" OR "dystonia". Full-text articles that reported the use of clozapine to treat abnormal involuntary movements and were written in English were included.

RESULTS

A total of 48 studies were identified, of which 13 were clinical trials and 35 were case reports. Significant improvement was seen in 86.7% of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (average dose of clozapine = 355 mg/day) and 93% of patients with other psychiatric disorders (average dose of clozapine = 152.5 mg/day). Patients with other psychiatric diagnoses had faster improvement than the patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Variation in improvements and dosage were also seen in the clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Results suggested an overall effectiveness of clozapine in the treatment of TD for patients with a range of psychiatric conditions. Different response time and clozapine dosage were seen in patients with different psychiatric conditions, suggesting different treatment protocols are required for different conditions. Most of the studies identified are of inadequate qualities, highlighting the need for high quality studies to provide clearer evidence.

A Low Clozapine Dose Improved Refractory Tardive Dystonia without Exacerbating Psychiatric Symptoms: A Case Report

Clozapine is recommended for patients with schizophrenia and tardive dystonia (TD); however, the appropriate dose remains unclear. In this case, a low dose (150 mg/day) of clozapine improved refractory TD and further ameliorated psychiatric symptoms. Herein, we report on a 41-year-old female with schizophrenia and TD who was treated with a low clozapine dose. After eight weeks of continuous clozapine at 150 mg/day (16 weeks after clozapine initiation), her TD dramatically improved, and her psychiatric symptoms were relieved. Low clozapine doses could ameliorate refractory TD. However, this effect might require up to several weeks. Clinicians should be patient unless they consider it better to increase the clozapine dose.

[Antipsychotic-induced motor symptoms in schizophrenic psychoses-Part 3 : Tardive dyskinesia]

The treatment of schizophrenic psychoses with antipsychotic drugs (AP) is often associated with an increased risk of delayed occurrence of antipsychotic-associated movement disorders. Persistence and chronicity of such symptoms are very frequent. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia (TD) is associated with the pharmacological effect profile of a particular AP, with treatment duration and age. This systematic review article summarizes the current study situation on prevalence, risk factors, prevention and treatment options and instruments for early prediction of TD in schizophrenic psychoses. The current data situation on treatment strategies for TD is very heterogeneous. For the treatment of TD there is preliminary evidence for reduction or discontinuation of the AP, switching to clozapine, administration of benzodiazepines (clonazepam) and treatment with vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) inhibitors, ginkgo biloba, amantadine or vitamin E. Although TD can be precisely diagnosed it cannot always be effectively treated. Early detection and early treatment of TD can have a favorable influence on the prognosis and the clinical outcome.

Valbenazine in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a bothersome and – at times, disabling – movement disorder associated with exposure to dopamine receptor antagonist medications. On 11 April 2017, valbenazine became the first US FDA-approved medication indicated for the treatment of TD. Valbenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor that decreases the abnormal movements of TD. The FDA considered valbenazine a breakthrough therapy in 2014 given its underlying mechanism and its importance in addressing an unmet need, as there were no available FDA-approved medications indicated for TD. The advantages of valbenazine include once-daily dosing and a rapid onset of effect within 2 weeks of treatment initiation.

Tardive Dyskinesia After Aripiprazole Treatment That Improved With Tetrabenazine, Clozapine, and Botulinum Toxin

We report on a patient with tardive dyskinesia (TDK) treated with aripiprazole, a third-generation antipsychotic with partial D2 agonist-antagonist activity at both the dopamine and serotonin receptors. The patient’s condition improved with administration of a combination of tetrabenazine, botulinum toxin, and clozapine, which has previously not been used. We suggest that this treatment combination may have potential benefits for patients with TDK. After aripiprazole discontinuation, the patient was treated with clozapine (150 mg/day) and biperiden (8 mg/day). Due to a lack of improvement, we administered 300 units (intramuscularly; IM) of botulinum toxin into the paravertebral muscles every 3 months and 1,000 units IM every 4 months in addition to tetrabenazine (75 mg/day) and biperiden (8 mg/day). The patient stopped this treatment, at which point TDK reappeared. After starting a treatment regimen of clozapine (100 mg/day), tetrabenazine (75 mg/day), and botulinum toxin (300 units IM), the patient’s symptoms remitted.

The psychopharmacology of catatonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, and dystonia

Although highly prevalent, motor syndromes in psychiatry and motor side effects of psychopharmacologic agents remain understudied. Catatonia is a syndrome with specific motor abnormalities that can be seen in the context of a variety of psychiatric and somatic conditions. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a lethal variant, induced by antipsychotic drugs. Therefore, antipsychotics should be used with caution in the presence of catatonic signs. Antipsychotics and other dopamine-antagonist drugs can also cause motor side effects such as akathisia, (tardive) dyskinesia, and dystonia. These syndromes share a debilitating impact on the functioning and well-being of patients. To reduce the risk of inducing these side effects, a balanced and well-advised prescription of antipsychotics is of utmost importance. Clinicians should be able to recognize motor side effects and be knowledgeable of the different treatment modalities.

Antipsychotic-induced Tardive dyskinesia: from biological basis to clinical management

INTRODUCTION

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a chronic and disabling movement disorder with a complex pathophysiological basis. A significant percentage of patients does not receive correct diagnosis, resulting in delayed or inaccurate treatment and poor outcome. Therefore, there is a critical need for prompt recognition, implementation of efficacious treatment regimens and long-term follow up of patients with TD. Areas covered: The current paper provides an overview of emerging data concerning proposed pathophysiology theories, epidemiology, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies for TD. Expert commentary: Despite considerable research efforts, TD remains a challenge in the treatment of psychosis as the available strategies remain sub-optimal. The best scenario will always be the prophylaxis or prevention of TD, which entails limiting the use of antipsychotics.

Tardive Dystonia Related with Aripiprazole

Tardive dystonia is characterized by sustained, generally slow involuntary twisting movements. It is estimated to occur at a frequency of 1% to 4% among patients who are taking an antipsychotic agent. Unlike the first generation antipsychotics, the second generation antipsychotics are less likely to cause neuroleptic-induced movement disorder. For aripiprazole, only a few cases have been reported for tardive dystonia. We present a young male, who developed a severe tardive dystonia after taking aripiprazole for 5 years. The patient was admitted to for the treatment of both hisdystonic and psychotic symptoms. Olanzapine was administered instead of aripiprazole and while his psychotic symptoms improved, the dystonic symptoms were continued. Therefore, olanzapine was switched to clozapine while augmenting with benzodiazepine, anti-cholinergic, and ginko biloba to control his tardive dystonia. After 2 weeks of treatment, the dystonic movement decreased remarkably.

Severe Tardive Dystonia on Low Dose Short Duration Exposure to Atypical Antipsychotics: Factors Explored

Tardive dystonia (TD) is a serious side effect of antipsychotic medications, more with typical antipsychotics, that is potentially irreversible in affected patients. Studies show that newer atypical antipsychotics have a lower risk of TD. As a result, many clinicians may have developed a false sense of security when prescribing these medications. We report a case of 20-year-old male with hyperthymic temperament and borderline intellectual functioning, who developed severe TD after low dose short duration exposure to atypical antipsychotic risperidone and then olanzapine. The goal of this paper is to alert the reader to be judicious and cautious before using casual low dose second generation antipsychotics in patient with no core psychotic features, hyperthymic temperament, or borderline intellectual functioning suggestive of organic brain damage, who are more prone to develop adverse effects such as TD and monitor the onset of TD in patients taking atypical antipsychotics.

Medical treatment of dystonia

Therapeutic strategies in dystonia have evolved considerably in the past few decades. Three major treatment modalities include oral medications, botulinum toxin injections and surgical therapies, particularly deep brain stimulation. Although there has been a tremendous interest in the later two modalities, there are relatively few recent reviews of oral treatment. We review the medical treatment of dystonia, focusing on three major neurotransmitter systems: cholinergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic. We also provide a practical guide to medication selection, therapeutic strategy and unmet needs.