Tardive Dyskinesia: Choosing the Best Treatment for Schizophrenia to Lower the Risk of TD

Eric Dietrich, PharmD, BCACP, CPC-A, CEMC, CPB | Pharmacist and Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, University of Florida

A 56-year-old woman presents to your clinic for a checkup. She has a history of untreated schizophrenia caused by refusing chronic medical care for fear of adverse effects, such as abnormal movements. Recently, she had had pneumonia, which required a prolonged hospitalization complicated by uncontrolled diabetes. At that time, she decided, with the help of her family, that she would accept treatment for schizophrenia.

Her current medications include metformin, 1000 mg, twice daily; insulin glargine, 55 units, twice daily; liraglutide, 1.8 mg, daily; lisinopril, 10 mg, daily; and atorvastatin, 10 mg, daily.