Benzodiazepines for neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a persistent and disfiguring set of repetitive movements, often of the facial area and is strongly associated with the long term use of antipsychotic medication. Various treatments have been tried since the disorder was first recognised but it still remains a common and distressing condition. Valium belongs to the group of drugs called benzodiazepines, which are often used as a last resort treatment intervention. We identified three relevant studies; two did not suggest any benefits to those taking benzodiazepines. The third study suggests some degree of improvement in the symptoms but it was a small study and we are unsure of the clinical meaning of the outcome. Benzodiazepines should remain a treatment of very last resort for people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like illnesses.