Which of the following statements about VMAT2 inhibitors for tardive dyskinesia is true?

Which of the following statements about VMAT2 inhibitors for tardive dyskinesia is true?

• A. Initiation requires dosage increases and effects are usually transient
• B. They are never started at initiation
• C. They permanently resolve tardive dyskinesia after one dose
• D. They worsen tardive dyskinesia with continued use

Answer: (A)

VMAT2 inhibitors treat tardive dyskinesia by lowering dopamine release in synaptic terminals, which helps reduce the involuntary movements. Because their therapeutic effect builds with dose optimization and ongoing treatment, you start at a low dose and slowly increase it to reach an effective level, rather than giving a fixed dose all at once. It’s common for noticeable improvement to take weeks and for the full benefit to depend on staying on the medication at the right dose. A single dose will not permanently resolve TD, and continuing treatment is usually what provides sustained benefit. The statement about initiating with gradual dosage increases and the effects needing time to become evident best captures how these drugs are used in practice.

VMAT2 inhibitors treat tardive dyskinesia by lowering dopamine release in synaptic terminals, which helps reduce the involuntary movements. Because their therapeutic effect builds with dose optimization and ongoing treatment, you start at a low dose and slowly increase it to reach an effective level, rather than giving a fixed dose all at once. It’s common for noticeable improvement to take weeks and for the full benefit to depend on staying on the medication at the right dose. A single dose will not permanently resolve TD, and continuing treatment is usually what provides sustained benefit. The statement about initiating with gradual dosage increases and the effects needing time to become evident best captures how these drugs are used in practice.