Tetrabenazine

Hemiballismus, Huntington Disease, Tourette Syndrome + 2 more
Treatment
9 FDA approvals
5 Active Studies for Tetrabenazine

What is Tetrabenazine

TetrabenazineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryDeutetrabenazine is a medication used to treat chorea, which are uncontrollable, sudden movements that can occur in people with Huntington’s disease. It works by blocking a transporter called VMAT2, which decreases the levels of dopamine in the brain and reduces the motor symptoms associated with HD. Deutetrabenazine is taken orally in tablet form and is marketed under the brand name Austedo. Clinical trials have shown that 12 weeks of treatment with deutetrabenazine can improve motor symptoms in people with HD. The drug was approved by the FDA in 2017.
Xenazineis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Tetrabenazine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Xenazine
Tetrabenazine
2008
30

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Tetrabenazine, also known as Xenazine, is approved by the FDA for 9 uses including Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome and senile chorea .
Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
Helps manage Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
senile chorea
Helps manage senile chorea
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
Helps manage Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)
Huntington's Disease (HD)
Helps manage Huntington's Disease (HD)
Tourette Syndrome
Helps manage Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
Hemiballismus
Helps manage Hemiballismus
Huntington Disease
Helps manage Huntington's Disease (HD)
Huntington Disease
Helps manage senile chorea
Tardive Dyskinesia
Helps manage Tardive Dyskinesia (TD)

Effectiveness

How Tetrabenazine Affects PatientsIn studies, deutetrabenazine has been shown to improve the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia by reducing the abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS) score. In a placebo-controlled study, taking a single 24 mg dose of deutetrabenazine caused an increase in the QTc interval of 4.5 msec. It is unknown what effects higher doses could have. Deutetrabenazine binds to tissues that contain melanin, such as eyes, skin, and fur in rats. Even after taking a single dose of deutetrabenazine, radioactivity was still detected in
How Tetrabenazine works in the bodyDeutetrabenazine helps reduce chorea by blocking the uptake of certain chemicals in the brain. It does this by using a special molecule called deuterium, which is a form of hydrogen with a slightly different weight. By using deuterium, the drug can stop the breakdown of the medicine without affecting its therapeutic effects. This allows deutetrabenazine to block the uptake of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine from nerve endings.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Tetrabenazine is contingent upon the diagnosed situation, including Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), Chorea and Huntington Disease. The dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery, as stated in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Hemiballismus
, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Tourette Syndrome
, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Tardive Dyskinesia
, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Huntington Disease
, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Huntington Disease
, 12.5 mg, 25.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral

Warnings

Tetrabenazine Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
untreated depression
Do Not Combine
Suicide
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Liver Disease
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Tetrabenazine.
Common Tetrabenazine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Amitriptyline
Major
The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Tetrabenazine.
Artemether
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Tetrabenazine is combined with Artemether.
Astemizole
Major
The metabolism of Astemizole can be decreased when combined with Tetrabenazine.
Clomipramine
Major
The metabolism of Clomipramine can be decreased when combined with Tetrabenazine.
Clonidine
Major
The metabolism of Clonidine can be decreased when combined with Tetrabenazine.
Tetrabenazine Toxicity & Overdose RiskAn overdose on deutetrabenazine may cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, eye movements, nausea/vomiting, sweating, low blood pressure, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, redness of the skin, or trembling. If an overdose is suspected, medical attention should be sought and all other medications taken should be noted. Laboratory tests have not shown any connection between deutetrabenazine and cancer in mice. Additionally, tests have shown that the drug is unlikely to affect fertility in humans.
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Tetrabenazine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Tetrabenazine?

6 active studies are currently investigating the use of Tetrabenazine to ameliorate the effects of Huntington Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) and Chorea.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Tardive Dyskinesia
0 Actively Recruiting
Hemiballismus
0 Actively Recruiting
Tourette Syndrome
0 Actively Recruiting
Huntington Disease
5 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3
Huntington Disease
0 Actively Recruiting

Tetrabenazine Reviews: What are patients saying about Tetrabenazine?

4.7Patient Review
2/27/2015
Tetrabenazine for Irregular Involuntary Spasms of Limbs or Facial Muscles with Huntington's Disease
Tetrabenazine has been a miracle for me. I had uncontrollable movements for two years, and nothing worked until now. The only downside is that it gives me insomnia, but that's a small price to pay compared to the alternative.
4Patient Review
9/13/2009
Tetrabenazine for Irregular Involuntary Spasms of Limbs or Facial Muscles with Huntington's Disease
My mother takes this medication three times a day, and she's been sleeping an abnormal amount since starting it.
1Patient Review
4/24/2019
Tetrabenazine for Irregular Involuntary Spasms of Limbs or Facial Muscles with Huntington's Disease
I was prescribed this medication for my tourette syndrome, but it unfortunately did not help at all. Not only that, but I also began experiencing headaches and dizziness. Overall, this medicine did more harm than good.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about tetrabenazine

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Is tetrabenazine an antipsychotic?

"TBZ was first 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."

Answered by AI

What type of medication is tetrabenazine?

"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 works by inhibiting the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), thereby reducing the levels of monoamines in the brain."

Answered by AI

What is the mechanism of action of tetrabenazine?

"Tetrabenazine works by binding to VMAT-2, which is found in presynaptic neurons. This prevents monoamines from being taken up by the neuron, which leads to a depletion of dopamine."

Answered by AI

What is tetrabenazine used to treat?

"Tetrabenazine is a medication used to treat chorea, a movement disorder caused by Huntington disease. Tetrabenazine works by preventing the absorption of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and serotonin, in the central nervous system. This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Tetrabenazine

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