Type of medicine: anti-chorea; MAO depleter
Generic and brand names: tetrabenazine, oral; Xenazine
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat the involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington's disease.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine if you are taking an MAO inhibitor or reserpine. Serious side effects can occur. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are currently taking any antidepressants or painkillers.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill.
Important: Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Your healthcare provider will slowly adjust your dose over several weeks. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Taking too much can cause serious side effects. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you have stopped taking the medicine for more than 5 days for any reason, do not take another dose until you talk to your healthcare provider.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you have missed a dose, your symptoms may return or worsen in 12 to 18 hours after taking the last dose.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, flushing, sweating, diarrhea, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, odd eyeball movements, tremor, twitching, restlessness.
Behavior changes may be caused by the medicine or by depression or another mental illness. Contact your provider right away if you or your family notice any disturbing changes in your thoughts or behavior, such as: more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, hallucinations, worsening of depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movements. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or confused. Contact your provider immediately if you have these symptoms.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to check on your progress and dosage.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may cause drowsiness and confusion. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Do not take other medicines without your healthcare provider's approval. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Increase in unusual movements of body, depression or thoughts of suicide, extreme restlessness, seizures, high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, increased coughing or trouble swallowing, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness or fainting, muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, uncontrolled tongue or jaw movements.
Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, loss of balance, joint pain, mild shaking, nausea, nervousness, headache.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
