In this Pharmacy Times Peer Exchange series, expert panelists Stephen Saklad, Melissa Cloyd, Jamie Kneebusch, and Farah Khorassani discuss key updates and clinical insights related to tardive dyskinesia (TD). The discussion focuses on raising awareness of TD as a chronic, irreversible condition, the value of early recognition and routine screening, the broader impact of TD on patients' psychosocial well-being and provider engagement, strategies for initiating and optimizing vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor therapy, overcoming payer-related and logistical barriers to treatment, the pharmacist's central role in monitoring and supporting long-term adherence, and the metrics and collaborative care strategies that can help ensure successful, sustained management of TD.
Stephen Saklad, Melissa Cloyd, Jamie Kneebusch, and Farah Khorassani discuss the importance of ongoing provider re-education on TD, noting that many clinicians remain unfamiliar with the condition and its presentation, particularly given that effective VMAT2 inhibitor treatments have only been available since 2017.
The panelists examined how early recognition of TD allows providers to optimize antipsychotic therapy and minimize or eliminate anticholinergic medications before patients progress to higher-burden treatment options such as clozapine.
Tardive dyskinesia disrupts adherence, caregivers, and costs—learn why inpatient and telehealth visits often miss mild symptoms and what to do.
The panelists examined the valuable role caregivers can play in identifying early TD movements, noting that patients often mask symptoms during office visits but may not do so around loved ones, and that caregiver education through accessible resources, such as sponsored videos, can help them recognize subtle signs
Learn how pharmacists use simple talks, handouts and motivational interviewing to start TD therapy early—and choose VMAT2 dosing for adherence.
VMAT2 inhibitors show lasting benefit and strong tolerability; dosing, drug interactions, swallowing needs, and liver changes guide switching and long-term use.
Learn how pharmacists navigate prior authorizations, coverage, and patient education to start and sustain tardive dyskinesia treatment.
Pharmacists boost VMAT2 success with med reviews, safe titration, AIMS monitoring, and access support—spotting tardive dyskinesia earlier.
Boost VMAT2 adherence by counseling side effects, streamlining refills with auto or mail-order options, using medication packs, and embedding AIMS screening into team workflows.
Discover how specialty pharmacists boost TD screening, speed treatment starts, and sustain adherence through proactive check-ins, texts, and empathy.
Boost tardive dyskinesia care with VMAT2 inhibitor education, social media stories, and pharmacist–prescriber teamwork for monitoring and access.
Learn how AIMS scoring, video tracking, and team-based follow-up boost tardive dyskinesia detection and VMAT2 treatment persistence.
