While the rate of tardive dyskinesia (TD) and other extrapyramidal side effects (EPSE) is lower with second generation antipsychotic medications compared to first generation antipsychotic medications, these side effects remain of clinical concern. This paper reviews the basis for the continued concern and the importance of secondary prevention, or early detection, within the primary-secondary-tertiary prevention model. The importance of standardized assessment instruments, education, and training is reviewed. Given the widespread use of antipsychotic drugs, the fact that antipsychotic drugs are the standard of care for several psychiatric conditions (with little indication that the magic bullet is on the immediate horizon to replace current antipsychotic drugs) applied monitoring and the early detection of TD and EPSE takes on added importance.