Anticholinergics Should Not Be Used to Treat Tardive Dyskinesia: Insights From an Expert Panel of Psychiatry and Neurology Healthcare Professionals

Abstract

Introduction

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent and often disabling hyperkinetic movement disorder associated with prolonged exposure to dopamine receptor blocking agents (e.g., antipsychotics, antiemetics). The use of anticholinergics for the treatment of movement disorders including TD is a common practice, despite a lack of supportive evidence and the potential to worsen TD. Moreover, there are now FDA-approved medications specifically indicated for TD. Two virtual meetings were held with movement disorder experts from neurology and psychiatry to better understand the real-world use of anticholinergics for TD.

Methods

In November 2020, a panel of eight experts was convened to gather insights on the challenges of differentiating TD from other drug-induced movement disorders (DIMDs) and to discuss appropriate treatments for TD and other DIMDs. A follow-up meeting was held in June 2021 to consolidate these insights. Key recommendations based on the panel discussions are presented.

Results

The panel emphasized that while anticholinergics can help with managing some DIMDs, current evidence indicates that they are not effective in TD and may even worsen symptoms. Therefore, FDA-approved vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors like valbenazine were recommended by the panel as first-line TD therapies. The panel noted that TD is often grouped under the term “extrapyramidal symptoms,” which leads to difficulty in differentiating TD from other DIMDs and the inappropriate treatment of TD with anticholinergics. The panel agreed that prophylaxis with anticholinergics is only appropriate in patients at high risk of acute dystonia. However, chronic anticholinergic use should be avoided whenever possible due to potentially serious adverse effects (e.g., cognitive difficulties) and anticholinergic burden, particularly in older patients. The potential for abuse, addiction, and diversion should also be considered when prescribing anticholinergics. Abrupt anticholinergic discontinuation can result in cholinergic rebound, which is characterized by sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, urinary urgency, and manifestations of DIMDs. Thus, when used appropriately (e.g., for acute dystonia), anticholinergics should be prescribed at minimally effective doses and slowly tapered for successful discontinuation.

Conclusions

These findings align with the current TD treatment guidelines, including the lack of evidence for anticholinergic use and recommended first-line treatment with approved VMAT2 inhibitors. Conclusions from this panel highlight educational needs across HCPs on the phenomenology of DIMDs, the inappropriate use of anticholinergics for TD, TD risks and assessment, and treatment strategies for TD.

Funding

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.