Tetrabenazine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Tetrabenazine Tablet, generic name Tetrabenazine, is a prescription medicine belonging to the VMAT2 inhibitor drug class. It is used to treat jerky, irregular, uncontrollable movements such as those caused by Huntington's disease (chorea), senile chorea, and hemiballismus. It does not cure the underlying disease or treat thinking and mood symptoms of Huntington's disease.

What is Tetrabenazine Tablet

Tetrabenazine is a prescription tablet used to treat jerky, irregular, uncontrollable movements such as those caused by Huntington's disease (chorea), senile chorea, and hemiballismus. It does not cure the underlying disease or treat thinking and mood symptoms of Huntington's disease.

Tetrabenazine Tablet uses

• Treats involuntary, jerky movements (chorea) caused by Huntington's disease
• Treats senile chorea
• Treats hemiballismus

Benefits of Tetrabenazine Tablet

• Helps control involuntary movements
• Reduces Huntington's disease chorea
• Improves movement control
• Helps manage uncontrolled body movements
• Reduces excessive, repetitive movements

How Tetrabenazine Tablet works

Tetrabenazine works in the brain by lowering the levels of certain chemical messengers (like dopamine and serotonin) that help control movement, which reduces jerky, uncontrolled movements.

Tetrabenazine Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Take your dose at about the same time every day, usually once in the morning and once in the evening. Doctors usually raise the dose slowly over several weeks to find the amount that works best and is tolerated. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or change your dose without checking with your doctor first.

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time — do not double up. If you miss doses for more than 5 days in a row, check with your doctor before starting again.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (12.5 mg)
• Tablet (25 mg)

Side effects of Tetrabenazine Tablet

Common

• Sleepiness or drowsiness
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Depression
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Restlessness or agitation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Stomach pain
• Changes in appetite
• Dry mouth
• Excessive salivation
• Sweating
• Skin rash
• Memory loss
• Changes in muscle tone
• Confusion
• Light sensitivity
• Slow heart rate
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Blood pressure changes
• Irregular menstrual cycle

Serious

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• New or worsening depression, or thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, increased sweating
• Parkinson-like symptoms: shaking, stiffness, trouble moving or keeping balance, drooling
• Akathisia (a strong urge to move, restlessness)
• Irregular or fast heartbeat, or fainting (possible heart rhythm problem)
• Dizziness or fainting when standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
• Difficulty swallowing or choking attacks
• Uncontrollable movements of the hands, arms, legs, or head

Warnings and precautions

• Tetrabenazine can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal actions. Do not start this medicine if you are depressed or have thoughts of suicide.
• Do not take tetrabenazine if you have taken reserpine within the last 20 days, or if you have used a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the past 2 weeks, as dangerous interactions can occur.
• Do not take tetrabenazine if you have liver problems.
• Tetrabenazine can worsen pre-existing Parkinson's disease symptoms.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly, or your involuntary movements could return or get worse within 12 to 18 hours of the last dose.
• Tetrabenazine may cause a rare but dangerous heart rhythm problem, especially when combined with certain other medicines.
• Do not take tetrabenazine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it may cross the placenta and harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking it.
• Do not take tetrabenazine while breastfeeding, since the drug passes into breast milk.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking tetrabenazine.
• Tetrabenazine should not be used if you have liver problems, since the liver may not be able to process the drug properly.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking tetrabenazine, since it can increase side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
• Be careful driving or using machines until you know how tetrabenazine affects you, since it can cause drowsiness.

Storage

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight
• Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills
• Keep out of reach of children
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, or hives
• Call your doctor right away if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or ending your life, or if you feel much more depressed, hopeless, or irritable than usual
• Call your doctor right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you develop high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, a very fast or uneven heartbeat, or increased sweating — these could be signs of a rare but serious reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Tell your doctor right away if you feel dizzy or faint, especially when standing up, since this could be a sign of a blood pressure change
• Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have taken too much tetrabenazine, even if you feel fine
• Call your doctor straight away if you notice symptoms of Parkinsonism, such as unsteadiness, tremors, and excessive salivation

Alternatives

• Valbenazine
• Risperidone
• Deutetrabenazine