Management of Tardive Dyskinesia with Vesicular Monoamine Transporter Type 2 (VMAT2) Inhibitors

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Vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors are recommended by guidelines as first-line treatment options for tardive dyskinesia (TD), but there is limited information outlining when to use one agent over another based on patient specific characteristics. Psychiatric pharmacists are in a key position to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations for TD but ambiguity on how and when to select one agent versus another makes this challenging. This presentation will explore the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of VMAT2 inhibitors, assess their effectiveness as a first-line treatment, and guide you in creating comprehensive treatment plans. Equip yourself with the knowledge to optimize care for patients affected by this complex movement disorder.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Faculty Information

Kayla Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
View biographical information

Kayla Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist 
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN

Kayla Johnson, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP is currently a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who works within the specialty department and has a focus on medications within the neurology and psychiatry realms. Therapeutic areas of focus include movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, ATTR amyloidosis, and autonomic dysfunction. She graduated from Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and went on to complete a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency followed by a specialty PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency. Kayla's varied background has allowed her to facilitate patient care in both the inpatient and outpatient settings in a variety of patient populations. This experience allows for her insight to the continuum of care for each patient to be the forethought when building standard operating procedures and developing pharmacist and technician roles.
 
Kayla’s current goals include advancing the role of the specialty pharmacist within a clinic space through the utilization of collaborative practice agreements. She has served in a variety of leadership positions within the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) since pharmacy school and is currently a member of the Educational Steering Committee within the ASHP Section of Specialty Pharmacy Practitioners. She is also serving as of the Psychopharmacology Pearls Editorial Board for the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP). Kayla routinely engages in the education of pharmacy students/residents; additionally, she presents her research activities concerning the advancement of the pharmacist role and clinical aspects of patient care through a combination of conference posters and publications. 

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of VMAT2 inhibitors.
  2. Analyze evidence for VMAT2 inhibitors as a first-line treatment for tardive dyskinesia.
  3. Formulate a comprehensive treatment plan for a patient with tardive dyskinesia.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 04/27/2025 - 04/27/2028
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-004-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

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Off-Label Use: This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA (see faculty information). The opinions expressed in the educational activity do not necessarily represent the views of AAPP and any educational partners. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

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It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.

Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.