Expanding the role of metoclopramide in Tardive Dyskinesia: A case report

Tardive dyskinesia is a medication-induced movement disorder commonly caused by the blockade or depletion of dopamine in the basal ganglia, seen mostly in the psychiatric setting following prolonged use of antipsychotic medications. It is also reported in other settings where patients receive non-antipsychotic medications. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia varies across age, gender, and race, with women of middle age being more prone to develop tardive dyskinesia more than men. Therefore, we report a case of tardive dyskinesia, post-delivery, in an African woman, who received metoclopramide as part of premedication for spinal anesthesia for an emergency cesarean delivery. The debriefing period following the resolution of the symptoms offered a clue to prior utilization of metoclopramide for the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum as provided by the patient's family. Hence, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of prolong usage of the implicating agent.