Which class of medications is known to potentially lead to tardive dyskinesia?

Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by brittle and involuntary movements, most commonly associated with the chronic use of typical antipsychotic medications. These medications primarily block dopamine receptors, specifically D2 receptors, which can lead to alterations in dopamine pathways in the brain over time. This prolonged dopamine blockade is thought to sensitize the dopamine receptors, resulting in the abnormal movements associated with tardive dyskinesia.

On the other hand, atypical antipsychotics, while they do carry a lower risk of tardive dyskinesia compared to their typical counterparts due to their different mechanism of action, have not been as strongly linked to this condition. Benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are primarily used for anxiety and depression, respectively, and do not carry the same risk for tardive dyskinesia, as they do not have the same dopamine-blocking effects that characterize typical antipsychotics.

Thus, the correct class of medications associated with inducing tardive dyskinesia is typical antipsychotics, due to their long-term dopamine antagonism effects.