Topic: Tardive Dyskinesia

A pharmaceutical commercial for Akathisia—a side effect of schizophrenia medication—is criticized for using triggering sound effects like dentist drills. The hosts discuss the involuntary movements associated with SSRIs and the ethics of pharmaceutical advertising.

The condition "tardive dyskinesia," characterized by involuntary facial tics and movements, is linked to long-term use of medications like Reglan and certain SSRIs. A retrospective look at a 2010 episode shows the hosts previously discussed class-action lawsuits against Reglan for these symptoms. The recent emergence of new drugs to treat the condition is framed as a cycle of pharmaceutical companies profiting from the side effects of their own products.

The rise of television advertisements for Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) treatments is examined. TD is a condition characterized by uncontrollable body movements, often as a side effect of long-term use of psychiatric medications for bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. The hosts discuss the "booster" medication trend and the psychological effect of pharmaceutical ads on viewers.

A report from the Erowid Experience Vault database describes severe physical reactions to the antipsychotic medication Haldol. The account details involuntary muscle movements, including a protruding tongue and neck spasms, occurring 24 hours after ingestion. These symptoms align with known side effects like tardive dyskinesia, which can cause painful muscle clenching and physical distress.

A legal advertisement for the drug Reglan (metoclopramide) highlights its link to tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder. The symptoms, including lip smacking, grimacing, and rapid eye movements, are discussed with a humorous reference to a mutual acquaintance. The segment critiques the prevalence of pharmaceutical litigation and the severity of drug side effects.