The main cause of tardive dyskinesia is long-term use of dopaminergic antagonist medications (antipsychotic medications).

Dopamine antagonists that can cause tardive dyskinesia include:

• Antipsychotic drugs (neuroleptics)
  • Butyrophenones: droperidol (Inapsine), haloperidol (Haldol), dibenzodiazepines [such as clozapine (Clozaril)], loxapine (Loxitane)
  • Diphenylbutylpiperidines: pimozide (Orap)…