Xenazine (Tetrabenazine) is used to treat Huntington’s chorea (uncontrolled muscle movements). It works by reducing the chemicals in the body that are overactive in people with Huntington’s disease. The usual recommended start dose is 25mg.
Manufacturer Information
The brand Xenazine is manufactured by Cambridge Laboratories and Douglas and currently comes from the United Kingdom, New Zealand. The generic Tetrabenazine comes from India also called Revocon manufactured by Sun Pharma. It may come from other international countries. Xenazine is available in a 25 mg dosage.
Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking Tetrabenazine.
• Difficulty breathing;
• Hives;
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
Stop taking Xenazine and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:
• Fast or pounding heartbeats
• Lightheadedness;
• Severe nervous system reaction
o Confusion
o Fast or uneven heartbeats
o High fever
o Sweating
o Very stiff (rigid) muscles
• Tremors, shaking, restless movement, problems with balance;
• Trouble swallowing;
• Uncontrolled muscle movements in the face
Less serious side effects of Tetrabenazine may include drowsiness, depression, nausea, anxiety, agitation, or restlessness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.
Xenazine should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Talk to your doctor about your medical history to be sure you can safely take Xenazine. Particularly if you have a history of depression, emotional disorder, mental illness, history of suicidal thoughts or actions, past or present breast cancer, heart disease or hear rhythm disorder, personal or family history of long QT syndrome, or if you have recently had a heart attack, and more. You should not take Xenazine if you are allergic to tetrabenazine or if you have severe or untreated depression, suicidal thoughts, liver disease, if you have taken reserpine in the past 20 days, or an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. It is not known whether or not this medication will harm an unborn or nursing infant. You shouldn’t take Xenazine while pregnant or nursing without discussing the risks with your doctor. There may be an interaction between Xenazine and other medications, some of which include: reserpine and MAO Inhibitors. Talk to your doctor about any medications or herbal supplements you are currently taking.