Details

Tetrabenazine reduces the amount of certain chemicals in the body that are overly active in people with Huntington's disease. Tetrabenazine is used to treat Huntington's chorea (uncontrolled muscle movements). You should not use tetrabenazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe or untreated depression suicidal thoughts liver disease or if you have taken reserpine in the past 20 days. To make sure tetrabenazine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have depression, an emotional disorder, or mental illness a history of suicidal thoughts or actions past or present breast cancer heart disease or heart rhythm disorder a personal or family history of long QT syndrome or if you recently had a heart attack.

Typical Uses

Tetrabenazine is used to decrease the uncontrollable movements (chorea) caused by Huntington's disease. However, it is not a cure for the disease. Reducing the chorea will help you take part in more of your normal daily activities. This medication is thought to work by decreasing the amount of certain natural substances in the brain (monoamines such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine), which are involved with nerve and muscle function. Tetrabenazine belongs to a class of drugs called monoamine depletors.

Side Effects

Common tetrabenazine side effects may include tremors, shaking, restless movement, problems with balance uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement) trouble swallowing fast or pounding heartbeats a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out or severe nervous system reaction-very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats.

Drug Interactions

• Tetrabenazine+amiodarone- Using amiodarone together with tetrabenazine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Tetrabenazine+bedaquiline- Using bedaquiline together with tetrabenazine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Tetrabenazine+cisapride- Using cisapride together with tetrabenazine is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Tetrabenazine+loxapine- Talk to your doctor before using tetrabenazine together with loxapine. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. In addition, tetrabenazine can increase the risk and severity of side effects associated with loxapine, including Parkinson-like symptoms and abnormal muscle movements.

Mechanism of action

Tetrabenazine belongs to class of medicines called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) inhibitors. It maintains the chemical balance in the brain thereby reducing the involuntary muscle movements.

Pregnancy Category : C