Tetrabenazine
Generic name: tetrabenazine [ TET-ra-BEN-a-zeen ]
Brand name: Xenazine
Dosage form: oral tablet (12.5 mg; 25 mg)
Drug class:VMAT2 inhibitors
What is tetrabenazine?
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).
Tetrabenazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You may have depression or thoughts about suicide while taking tetrabenazine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
You should not use tetrabenazine if you have severe or untreated depression, suicidal thoughts, liver disease, or if you have taken reserpine in the past 20 days.
Do not use tetrabenazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Before taking this medicine
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.
Do not use tetrabenazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
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.
Taking tetrabenazine may increase your risk of depression or thou...
