Vitamin B(6) in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Abstract

The authors' goal was to conduct a double-blind trial of vitamin B(6) in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia. Fifteen inpatients with schizophrenia who met research diagnostic criteria for tardive dyskinesia were randomly assigned to treatment with either vitamin B(6) or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind crossover paradigm. The Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale was used to assess patients weekly. 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. Vitamin B(6) appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.