Tetrabenazine is used to treat chorea (sudden movements that you cannot control) caused by Huntington’s disease (an inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain). Tetrabenazine is in a class of medications called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors.

How quickly does tetrabenazine work?

When will tetrabenazine start working? Improvements may be seen in as little as 1 to 2 weeks. However, it can sometimes take up to 6 weeks to see the full benefits of the medication.

What are the side effects of tetrabenazine?

Commonly reported side effects of tetrabenazine include: drowsiness, sedated state, bradykinesia, hypertonia, muscle rigidity, depression, exacerbation of depression, akathisia, and restlessness. Other side effects include: dysphagia, anxiety, and dizziness. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Is tetrabenazine an antipsychotic?

Tetrabenazine (TBZ) was initially synthesized in the 1950s by O Schneider and A Brossi at the research laboratory of Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel. They created TBZ as an antipsychotic drug as part of their research into simpler chemical compounds with reserpine-like activity.

Is tetrabenazine a drug?

Tetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT) inhibitor used for the management of chorea associated with Huntington’s Disease. A drug formerly used as an antipsychotic but now used primarily in the symptomatic treatment of various hyperkinetic disorders.

What class of drug is tetrabenazine?

Tetrabenazine is in a class of medications called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain that affect nerves and muscles.

What is another name for tetrabenazine?

Tetrabenazine is a drug for the symptomatic treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders. It is sold under the brand names Nitoman and Xenazine among others. On August 15, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of tetrabenazine to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.

Can you just stop taking tetrabenazine?

You should not stop using tetrabenazine suddenly or your symptoms may return. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medicine.

What is tetrabenazine FDA approved for?

Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is a selective and reversible centrally-acting dopamine depleting drug indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.

Can you drink alcohol while taking tetrabenazine?

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of tetrabenazine such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with tetrabenazine.

What does tetrabenazine do to dopamine?

Nervous system. Tetrabenazine inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter 2, leading to depletion of dopamine and other monoamines in the central nervous system.

How does tetrabenazine treat chorea?

TBZ cannot fix the proteins that are damaged in HD, but it can help reduce one of their harmful effects: chorea. Recall that chorea is believed to be caused by increased activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine. TBZ exerts its anti-choreic effects by reducing the amount of dopamine in the brain in two ways.

Is bromocriptine a dopamine agonist?

Bromocriptine is a sympatholytic D2-dopamine agonist that has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

What is the medicine carbamazepine used for?

Carbamazepine is a medicine used to treat epilepsy. It can also be taken for nerve pain caused by diabetes (peripheral neuropathy) or if you have a painful condition of the face called trigeminal neuralgia. Carbamazepine is occasionally used to treat bipolar disorder when other medicines have not worked.

Is chlorpromazine an antidepressant?

Chlorpromazine is a psychiatric medication that belongs to the class of drugs called phenothiazine antipsychotics. It works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

Can tetrabenazine be crushed?

See prescribing information for converting patients from tetrabenazine. Deutetrabenazine can be discontinued without tapering but must be retitrated if stopped for greater than one week. Administer with food and swallow tablets whole; do not crush, break or chew. dose is 36 mg (18 mg twice daily).