Vitamin B-6 in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

Objective: The authors' goal was to conduct a double-blind trial of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia. Method: Fifteen inpatients with schizophrenia who met research diagnostic c riteria for tardive dyskinesia were randomly assigned to treatment with eit her vitamin B-6 or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind crossover paradigm . The Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale was used to assess patients weekl y. Results: Mean scores on the parkinsonism and dyskinetic movement subscales of the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale were significantly better in the third week of treatment with vitamin B-6 than during the placebo period. Conclusions. Vitamin B-6 appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of ta rdive dyskinesia.