Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Xenazine, Nitoman, Tetmodis
Tetrabenazine is a drug primarily used to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease. It belongs to a class of medications known as vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors. It works by depleting monoamines, such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine, in the central nervous system. This depletion of monoamines, particularly dopamine, helps to reduce the involuntary movements characteristic of chorea.
Used to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease.
WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE WITH DEMENTIA Increased mortality has been observed in Huntington’s disease patients with dementia treated with tetrabenazine compared to placebo. Tetrabenazine is not approved for the treatment of patients with Huntington’s disease who have dementia.
Outcome:
Hypertensive crisis
Mechanism:
Increased monoamine levels
Outcome:
Increased risk of anticholinergic effects
Mechanism:
Additive anticholinergic properties
Outcome:
May decrease the effectiveness of tetrabenazine
Mechanism:
Stimulant effect may counteract the sedative effect
Most likely new formulation: Extended-release formulation (Year 2026, 70% confidence)
Based on current usage trends and clinical trial data, there is a low (5%) likelihood of a major label change within the next 5 years.
VMAT2 Inhibitor
Benzoquinolizine