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Did the patient know the risks of risperidone?
THE PATIENT. A 53-year-old woman hospitalized for depression and suicidal thoughts was prescribed risperidone.
CASE FACTS. The patient developed excessive mouth and tongue movement—including pursed lips, protruding tongue, and biting the inside of her mouth—and uncontrollable urges to move her extremities. She was diagnosed with probable tardive dyskinesia (TD), and risperidone was tapered and discontinued.
THE PATIENT’S CLAIM. The psychiatrist failed to adequately monitor her and recognize early symptoms of TD and did not tell the patient to look for signs of TD.
THE DOCTOR’S DEFENSE. None
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