Vitamin B₆ in the Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study

OBJECTIVE: The authors’ goal was to conduct a double-blind trial of vitamin B₆ in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Fifteen inpatients with schizophrenia who met research diagnostic criteria for tardive dyskinesia were randomly assigned to treatment with either vitamin B₆ or placebo for 4 weeks in a double-blind crossover paradigm. The Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale was used to assess patients weekly. RESULTS: 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 B₆ than during the placebo period. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B₆ appears to be effective in reducing symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.