Dr. Breggin testified that the drug company was negligent in its labeling of the drug and that the doctor was negligent in his treatment. According to Dr. Breggin, negligence by the drug company and the doctor lead to Mrs. Accardo's severe tardive dyskinesia, including tardive dystonia and tardive akathisia. Tardive dyskinesia is a largely irreversible movement disorder caused by neuroleptic drugs, such as Prolixin, Haldol, Navane, Thorazine, Mellaril and Stelazine, as well as Clozaril and Risperdal. Mrs. Accardo's tardive dyskinesia is very severe and disabling. Muscle spasms and abnormal movements afflict her face, neck, shoulders and extremities, as well as her speech and breathing.
Older patients have an even higher risk.
Mrs. Accardo was given injections of Prolixin over a period of several years from 1983-1988 by Dr. Louis Cenac, a Baton Rouge psychiatrist. Before the trial was concluded, Dr. Cenac admitted liability and the jury was left to decide the monetary award. The attorney in the case was Daniel McGlynn of Baton Rouge. When trying to withdraw from many psychiatric drugs, patients can develop serious and even life-threatening emotional and physical reactions. In short, it is dangerous not only to start taking psychiatric drugs but also can be hazardous to stop taking them.