Describing symptoms or conditions that appear late in the course of treatment, particularly referring to movement disorders that develop after prolonged use of antipsychotic medications. The term is most commonly used in 'tardive dyskinesia,' a serious neurological side effect.
From Latin 'tardus' (slow, late), indicating delayed onset. The term entered medical usage in the mid-20th century when psychiatrists began recognizing that certain medication side effects appeared months or years after treatment initiation.
The 'tardive' designation was crucial in recognizing that some medication effects don't appear immediately but can emerge after months or years of treatment, fundamentally changing how we monitor long-term medication safety. Tardive dyskinesia can be irreversible even after stopping the offending medication, highlighting the importance of regular movement assessments in patients on antipsychotics.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.