Tardive dyskinesia in 2 patients treated with ziprasidone

Case 1

A 34-year-old white man, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1991, was prescribed trifluoperazine, 15 mg/d. In 1993, because of a recurrence of paranoid delusions and extreme isolation, treatment with trifluoperazine was ended and the patient was prescribed fluphenazine decanoate, 50 mg, administered intramuscularly every 2 weeks, and after 6 months fluphenazine hydrochloride, 10–30 mg/d, administered orally. Despite this treatment, the patient’s auditory hallucinations and delusions of extrasensory perception persisted. The patient developed slight tremors and rigidity. No counteractive measures were undertaken. In 1995, the patient discontinued the fluphenazine and experienced an acute exacerbation of psychosis. He was seen twice in the psychiatric emergency department and was treated each time with haloperidol, 5 mg, and, to prevent extrapyramidal symptoms, with benztropine mesylate, 2 mg, administered intramuscularly.

The patient was referred to our clinic in April 1996. There was no family history of mental illness. His mother had died of cancer at the age of 42 years. The patient had never been admitted to hospital for schizophrenia and was physically healthy. Upon psychiatric evaluation, he was found to be experiencing hyperacusis, agitation, violent tendencies, hallucinations and delusions with poor insight. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) examination7 was completed and then repeated at each subsequent monthly visit; the patient’s initial AIMS score was 1. The AIMS consists of 10 items to score abnormal movements and 2 items on the condition of teeth or dentures. The 10 items on abnormal movements are scored from 0 to 4 (0, not present; 1, minimal; 2, mild; 3, moderate; 4, severe). Ziprasidone monotherapy, 40 mg twice daily, administered orally, was initiated with a good response. The dosage was increased to 60 mg, twice daily, on May 14, 1996, and to 80 mg, twice daily, on May 28, 1996. Nine months after initiation of ziprasidone therapy, that is, in January 1997, the patient had attended summer classes, obtained a teaching degree and a teaching job. On Feb. 4, 1999, he came for an unscheduled interview, because one of his fellow teachers mentioned that he was moving his fingers and lips. On examination, he manifested abnormal movements of the jaw, lips and mouth, and the upper extremities. His AIMS score at that time was 9. On Feb. 25, 1999, the patient’s ziprasidone dosage was decreased from 160 mg/d to 120 mg/d, and vitamin E was added to his regimen. There was little change in the severity of TD. Psychiatrically, he has been doing well with minimal psychopathology.

Case 2

A 42-year-old white man living with his parents and brother had started manifesting isolative behaviour, fear of meeting people and hearing of voices at the age of 29 years. On June 2, 2000, as a result of parental coercion and the severity of the symptoms, he came to our clinic. At that time, the patient believed that a neighbour had a machine that enabled the neighbour to hear what the patient was saying or thinking. Upon examination, the patient had no abnormal involuntary movements and an AIMS score of 0. He was prescribed ziprasidone, 120 mg/d. The AIMS examination was repeated at each subsequent monthly visit. The patient responded well to ziprasidone treatment. The delusions dissipated, so the same dosage of medication was continued. On May 3, 2002, he exhibited choreoathetoid movements of the fingers, chewing movements of the mouth and abnormal movements of the toes. His AIMS score was 16. As the patient’s condition had improved with ziprasidone, he continued with the same dosage with monthly follow-up visits. His AIMS score remained about the same throughout. In June 2002, the TD continued to worsen (AIMS score of 18) and, in particular, his hand movements became severe. Therefore, ziprasidone was discontinued, and the patient was prescribed olanzapine, 20 mg/d, and vitamin E, 400 IU/d.