Xenazine (Tetrabenazine Tablets) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 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 Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Xenazine

Generic Name: tetrabenazine (Pronunciation: TET ra BEN a zeen)

What is tetrabenazine (Xenazine)?

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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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:

mood or behavior changes;
extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out;
feeling restless, agitated, or hyperactive (mentally or physically);
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
trouble swallowing;
tremor (uncontrolled shaking);
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat; or
high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing.

Less serious side effects may include:

sleep problems (insomnia);
mild drowsiness, tired feeling;
nausea; or
breast swelling or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about tetrabenazine (Xenazine)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tetrabenazine, or if you have severe or untreated depression, suicidal thoughts, liver disease, or past or present breast cancer.

Do not use tetrabenazine if you have taken reserpine within the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

Before you take tetrabenazine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome," or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Tetrabenazine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You may feel depressed or have thoughts about suicide when you first start taking this medication. Your doctor will need to check you at regular visits during treatment.

Stop taking tetrabenazine and call your doctor at once if you have any new or worsening symptoms such as: mood or behavior changes, confusion, trouble swallowing, uncontrolled muscle movements, extreme drowsiness, or if you feel restless, agitated, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

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