Final answer:
Antipsychotic medication is associated with signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by repetitive, involuntary movements that can occur after long-term use. These medications act as dopamine antagonists, leading to side effects that may require management through medication adjustments or other treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The long-term medication associated with signs and symptoms of tardive dyskinesia is antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotics are used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and other mental health disorders by acting as dopamine antagonists that block the effects of dopamine by binding to its receptors without activating them. This inhibitory effect on dopamine can lead to side effects resembling Parkinson's disease, and with prolonged use, patients may develop tardive dyskinesia, which is characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, often of the facial muscles.
Some of the classes of antipsychotics include older or typical antipsychotics, as well as newer or atypical antipsychotics like risperidone (Risperdal), which also acts on dopamine and serotonin receptors. Tardive dyskinesia generally occurs after long-term use of antipsychotic medication, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and adjusting treatment plans as needed. This condition can be managed through alterations to medication, the use of blood pressure medication that might have beneficial effects on movement disorders, and, in some cases, non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and deep-brain stimulation.