Dyskinesias: What They Are and Why They Matter

Have you noticed involuntary movements—twisting, jerking, or restless pacing—that weren’t there before? That could be dyskinesia. It’s a group of movement problems that often show up as a side effect of medications or with conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The good news: many cases can be managed once you identify the cause and work with a doctor.

Common causes and symptoms

Dyskinesias come in different shapes. You might see quick, dance-like jerks (chorea), slow postures and muscle contractions (dystonia), or a constant need to move (akathisia). Tardive dyskinesia is a late-onset form linked to long-term use of some antipsychotics. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia is common in people treated for Parkinson’s disease. Other culprits include certain antiemetics (like metoclopramide), anticonvulsants, and stimulants.

Symptoms are usually visible and can vary over the day. For example, levodopa-related movements often peak when the medication is at its strongest. Tardive movements often involve the face and mouth—chewing, lip-smacking, or grimacing. Dystonia can cause painful muscle cramps or abnormal postures. If movements interfere with eating, walking, sleeping, or work, it’s time to act.

What you can do and treatment options

First step: don’t stop or change medications on your own. Sudden withdrawal can make things worse. Keep a simple diary—note when movements start, how long they last, and what you were doing. Short videos are extremely helpful for your doctor.

Management depends on the cause. If a drug is to blame, your clinician may lower the dose, change the timing, or switch to a different medicine. For levodopa-induced dyskinesia, options include adjusting levodopa dosing, adding amantadine, or considering deep brain stimulation for severe cases. Tardive dyskinesia may improve when the offending medicine is stopped or switched; newer drugs like valbenazine and deutetrabenazine can reduce symptoms for some people.

For focal dystonia (like a neck or hand cramp), botulinum toxin injections often work well. Akathisia responds to beta-blockers (like propranolol) or sometimes low-dose benzodiazepines. Physical therapy, stretching, and occupational therapy help people cope day-to-day and reduce pain.

If movements start suddenly, are painful, or you have fever and stiffness, seek prompt medical care—these can be signs of an urgent reaction. For chronic or unclear cases, ask for a referral to a neurologist or movement disorder specialist. They’ll review your meds, do a focused exam, and may order lab tests or imaging to rule out other causes.

Prevention matters. Use the lowest effective dose of meds, review prescriptions regularly with your provider, and report new movements early. With the right steps, many people reduce symptoms and get back to normal activities.

Need help deciding what to tell your doctor? Start with a one-line summary of the movements, when they started, a short video, and a current medication list. That simple info speeds diagnosis and treatment.