At the 2021 Psych Congress Regionals, Dr. Rakesh Jain discussed the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and provided updates on treatments, focusing on VMAT2 inhibitors. He addressed common side effects of the FDA-approved VMAT2 inhibitors, valbenazine and deutetrabenazine, and offered strategies for managing these side effects.

Dr. Jain highlighted three main side effects: sedation, Parkinsonian symptoms, and akathisia. Sedation can be mitigated by cautioning patients, adjusting dosing schedules, and minimizing other sleep medications. For Parkinsonian symptoms, he recommended reducing or temporarily discontinuing the medication, and possibly rechallenging at a lower dose. Akathisia can be managed by controlling the dose, temporarily stopping the medication, or using propranolol if symptoms are more severe. By understanding and managing these side effects, clinicians can improve adherence to VMAT2 inhibitor treatments for tardive dyskinesia.

Reference: Jain R. Managing the Most Common Side Effects of VMAT2 Inhibitors. Psych Congress Network. Published April 22, 2021. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/pcn/multimedia/managing-most-common-side-effects-vmat2-inhibitors?hmpid=anNjaHJlaWJlcjAxQGNvbWNhc3QubmV0&utm_medium=email&utm_source=enewsletter&utm_content=1867303889