Xenazine (Tetrabenazine Tablets) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Xenazine

Huntington's Disease »

Introduction to Huntington's disease

In 1872, the American physician George Huntington wrote about an illness that he called "an heirloom from generations away back in the dim past." He was not the first to describe the disorder, which has been traced back to the Middle Ages at least. One of its earliest names was chorea,* which, as in "choreography," is the Greek word for dance. The term chorea describes how people affected with the disorder writhe, twist, and turn in a constant, uncontrollable dance--like motion. Later, other descriptive names evolved. "Hereditary chorea" emphasizes how the disease is passed from parent to child. "Chronic progressive chorea" stresses how symptoms of the disease worsen over time. Today, physicians commonly use the simple term Huntington's disease (HD) to describe this highly complex disorder that causes untold suffering for thousands of families.

More than 15,000 Americans have HD. At least 150,000 others have a 50 percent ri...

Read the Huntington's Disease article »

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Xenazine

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Xenazine®
(tetrabenazine) Tablets

Depression and Suicidality

XENAZINE can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington's disease. Anyone considering the use of XENAZINE must balance the risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for control of choreiform movements. Close observation of patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior should accompany therapy. Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed of the risk of depression and suicidality and should be instructed to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician.

Particular caution should be exercised in treating patients with a history of depression or prior suicide attempts or ideation, which are increased in frequency in Huntington's disease. XENAZINE is contraindicated in patients who are actively suicidal, and in patients with untreated or inadequately treated depression. (see CONTRAINDICATIONS; WARNINGS - Increased Risk of Depression and Suicidality, and PATIENT INFORMATION).

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Xenazine® (tetrabenazine) is a monoamine depletor for oral administration. The molecular weight of tetrabenazine is 317.43, the pKa is 6.51. Tetrabenazine is a hexahydro-dimethoxybenzoquinolizine derivative and has the following chemical name: cis rac –1,3,4,6,7,11bhexahydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-benzo[a]quinolizin-2-one.

The empirical formula C₁₉H₂₇NO₃ is represented by the following structural formula:

Xenazine® (tetrabenazine) Structural Formula Illustration

Tetrabenazine is a white to slightly yellow crystalline powder that is sparingly soluble in water and soluble in ethanol.

Each XENAZINE® (tetrabenazine) Tablet contains either 12.5 or 25 mg of tetrabenazine as the active ingredient. XENAZINE® (tetrabenazine) Tablets contain tetrabenazine as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: lactose, maize starch, talc, and magnesium stearate. The 25-mg strength tablet also contains yellow iron oxide as an inactive ingredient. XENAZINE® (tetrabenazine) is supplied as a yellowish-buff scored tablet containing 25-mg of tetrabenazine, or as a white non-scored tablet containing 12.5-mg of tetrabenazine.

What are the possible side effects of tetrabenazine (Xenazine)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tetrabenazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: