Tetrabenazine
Description
Tetrabenazine is used in the treatment of chorea (abnormal, jerky, or involuntary movements) associated with Huntington’s disease, an inherited condition in which the nerve cells in the brain become damaged. This medicine works by reducing the level of certain chemicals that cause abnormal movements.
Tetrabenazine shows some side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, depression, restlessness, body pain, tiredness, etc. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it. Also, avoid performing activities that require mental focus such as driving vehicles or operating machines, as this medicine can make you feel drowsy.
Tetrabenazine may be taken with or without food. The dose and duration of the treatment will be determined by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor, as your symptoms may become worse.
Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use in children below the age of 18 years. Inform your doctor about all your current medications and pre-existing medical conditions before taking this medicine. This will help your doctor adjust the dose to avoid side effects. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tetrabenazine
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body pain
- Chills and fever
- Cough
- Loss of balance control
- Nasal congestion
- Slurred speech
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Restlessness
- Difficult or painful urination
- Trouble in speaking
- Dizziness
Uses of Tetrabenazine
What is it prescribed for?
- Huntington's disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Tetrabenazine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Tetrabenazine lasts for 16-24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Tetrabenazine due to the increased risk of side effects.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Tetrabenazine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Tetrabenazine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Liver impairment
Tetrabenazine is not recommended if you have liver problems as this medicine is broken down in the liver. If you have impaired liver function, it may cause an accumulation of this medicine in the body, resulting in toxicity.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are a class of medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. Avoid taking Tetrabenazine with MAOIs or within two weeks after discontinuing MAOIs, as it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Active Suicidal Tendency
Tetrabenazine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. Hence, it is not recommended for use if you have active suicidal tendencies and uncontrolled depression.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding.
General warnings
Driving vehicles and operating machines
Tetrabenazine may cause drowsiness. Hence, avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel drowsy after taking this medicine.
Dysphagia
Tetrabenazine should be used with caution if you have any conditions that may cause dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing). This medicine may cause dysphagia and further worsen your condition.
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia means you have higher-than-normal levels of prolactin (a type of hormone) in your blood. In some cases, Tetrabenazine may cause elevated prolactin concentrations in the blood. therefore, it should be used with caution if you have a history of breast cancer. Also, a chronic increase in prolactin levels may increase the risk of osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones).
Orthostatic hypotension
Tetrabenazine may cause orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure while suddenly getting up from a sitting or a lying position), which can lead to dizziness or fainting. To avoid this, stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
Use in children
Tetrabenazine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but life-threatening reaction that can occur in response to certain medications. It is characterised by symptoms such as very high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, sweating, etc. Tetrabenazine should be used with caution as it may cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome in some cases.
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism refers to a group of neurological conditions that cause difficulty with movements. The symptoms include tremors, slow movement, impaired speech, or muscle stiffness. Tetrabenazine should be used with caution as it may trigger or aggravate such conditions.
Depression
Tetrabenazine should be used with extreme caution as it may cause depression and increased suicidal thoughts. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience changes in mood and behaviour or develop thoughts of self-harm.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Tetrabenazine as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose of Tetrabenazine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Tetrabenazine due to the increased risk of side effects.
Interaction with Medicine
Metoprolol
Isocarboxazid
Phenelzine
Mefloquine
Deutetrabenazine
Disease interactions
QT prolongation
QT prolongation is a condition in which your heart muscles take a longer time to recharge between a heartbeat. Tetrabenazine should be used with caution as it may cause QT prolongation. It is not recommended for use if you have any clinical condition or taking any medication known to cause QT prolongation.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Tetrabenazine as instructed by the doctor. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow as a whole with plenty of water.
Avoid taking more or less than the recommended dose. Take it at the same time every day for the ease of remembering.
Be careful while standing up from a sitting or lying position to avoid feeling dizzy.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
Consult your doctor immediately if you experience changes in mood and behaviour or develop thoughts of self-harm.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Tetrabenazine works by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in the body that cause abnormal movements.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 inhibitor (VMAT-2)
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - TETRABENAZINE tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 April 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Tetrabenazine 25 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 April 2022].
Lundbeck.com. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 April 2022].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 April 2022].
Centaurpharma.com. 2022. Centaur Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd – India. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 April 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Apr 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.