Tardive dyskinesia: legal and preventive aspects.

Tardive dyskinesia is a complication associated with long term neuroleptic drug treatment that can be the object of litigation. Such litigation has occurred recently in the United States, where awards of considerable value have been granted to plaintiffs. Circumstances that can lead to TD litigation are presented as well as guidelines for the prescription of neuroleptics, the prevention of litigation and of the syndrome itself. Five lawsuits associated with TD serve as a backdrop for the discussion.