Tetrabenazine tablets
Xenazine
Revisione paritaria di Sid DajaniUltimo aggiornamento di Michael Stewart, MRPharmSUltimo aggiornamento 14 Apr 2025
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The dose of tetrabenazine varies from person to person. Your doctor will tell you how you should take the tablets.
Swallow your doses with a drink of water. You can take tetrabenazine either before or after food.
Tetrabenazine can cause unwanted effects such as depression, feeling drowsy, slow muscle movements, and stiffness. Let your doctor know if this happens to you.
At a glance
Tetrabenazine is a medicine for uncontrolled jerky muscle movements.
It is used for conditions like Huntington's chorea and tardive dyskinesia.
Take tablets exactly as your doctor tells you, with or without food.
This medicine can make you feel drowsy.
Very high fever, confusion or muscle stiffness need urgent medical attention.
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About tetrabenazine tablets
Utilizzato per | Movement disorders |
Chiamato anche | Xenazine® |
Disponibile come | Compresse |
Tetrabenazine acts on your brain and nervous system. It is used to treat uncontrolled jerky muscle movements associated with a conditions such as la corea di Huntington and tardive dyskinesia.
We do not know exactly how tetrabenazine works, but it is known to reduce the levels of a chemical in brain cells, called dopamine. Dopamine is involved in controlling our muscles so lower levels in the brain mean reduced muscle movements.
Before taking tetrabenazine tablets
Torna ai contenutiSome medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking tetrabenazine it is important that your doctor knows:
Se sei incinta o stai allattando.
Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato, o se hai problemi con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.
If you know you have problems with your heart rhythm.
If you have depression or thoughts of harming yourself.
If you have Parkinson-like symptoms.
If you have been told you have a tumour on your adrenal gland, called phaeochromocytoma, or if you have any other cancer.
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.
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How to take tetrabenazine tablets
Torna ai contenutiBefore you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about tetrabenazine, and will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.
Take tetrabenazine tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be adjusted to suit your condition, so your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day. This information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said to you. As a guide, you could be asked to take either one, two or three doses each day.
Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take it either with or without food.
Try to take the tablets at the same time(s) each day, as this will help you to remember to take your doses regularly.
Se dimentichi di prendere una dose, prendila appena te ne ricordi (a meno che non sia quasi ora della dose successiva, in tal caso salta la dose dimenticata e prendi la dose successiva come di consueto). Non prendere due dosi insieme per compensare una dose dimenticata.
Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento
Torna ai contenutiCerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi.
Treatment with tetrabenazine is usually long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise. Stopping suddenly can cause problems and your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.
Tetrabenazine can cause you to feel drowsy. You should not drink alcohol as this can make the sleepiness worse.
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Can tetrabenazine cause problems?
Torna ai contenutiAlong with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with tetrabenazine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Very common tetrabenazine side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 people) | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Feeling depressed, unusual muscle movements | Speak with your doctor about either of these straightaway |
Common tetrabenazine side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people) | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Sensazione di sonnolenza o stanchezza | Non guidare e non utilizzare strumenti o macchinari mentre sei sotto effetto. Non bere alcolici |
Feeling dizzy or light-headed particularly when you get up (due to low blood pressure) | Getting up and moving more slowly may help. If you begin to feel dizzy, sit down and rest for a few minutes |
Sensazione di malessere (nausea), mal di stomaco | Attieniti a pasti semplici - evita cibi grassi o piccanti |
Feeling anxious or confused, difficulty sleeping, difficulty swallowing | Se uno di questi diventa problematico, parla con il tuo medico |
Importante: if you experience symptoms such as muscle stiffness, a very high temperature (fever), feeling confused, a fast heartbeat and sweating, you should contact your doctor immediately. These can be signs of a rare but serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti alle compresse, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.
How to store tetrabenazine
Torna ai contenutiTenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.
Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.
Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Torna ai contenutiInformazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Non assumere mai più della dose prescritta. Se sospetti che tu o qualcun altro possa aver assunto un sovradosaggio di questo medicinale, recati immediatamente al pronto soccorso del tuo ospedale locale. Porta con te il contenitore, anche se è vuoto.
Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentale, informa la persona che esegue il trattamento sui medicinali che stai assumendo.
Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.
If you buy any medicines 'over the counter', always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your prescribed medicines.
Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.
Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.
Segnala effetti collaterali di un medicinale o vaccino
Se si verificano effetti collaterali, è possibile segnalarli online tramite il Yellow Card website.

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Domande frequenti
What is the primary role of tetrabenazine in my body?
Tetrabenazine works by affecting your brain and nervous system. It reduces the levels of a chemical called dopamine in brain cells, which helps in controlling muscle movements. By lowering dopamine, it can lessen uncontrolled jerky muscle movements.
Are there specific times of day I should take my tetrabenazine tablets?
You should take your tablets exactly as your doctor tells you. The dose will be adjusted for your condition, and you might be asked to take them one, two, or three times a day. To help you remember, try to take them at the same time(s) each day.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of tetrabenazine?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's nearly time for your next dose, you should skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
How long will I need to take tetrabenazine for?
Treatment with tetrabenazine is typically long-term. You should continue to take the tablets unless your doctor advises you otherwise. If it becomes necessary to stop, your doctor may recommend gradually reducing your dose to avoid problems.
Can I drink alcohol while taking tetrabenazine?
No, you should not drink alcohol while taking tetrabenazine. This medicine can make you feel drowsy, and alcohol can worsen this sleepiness.
What are the common side-effects of tetrabenazine and what should I do about them?
Some common side-effects include feeling drowsy, dizzy, or light-headed (especially when standing up), feeling sick, anxious, confused, or having difficulty sleeping or swallowing. If you feel dizzy, sit down and rest. For nausea, stick to simple meals. If you feel drowsy, avoid driving or operating machinery. If any side-effects continue or become troublesome, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
What are the very common side-effects of tetrabenazine?
Very common side-effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include feeling depressed or experiencing unusual muscle movements. If you experience either of these, you should speak with your doctor straightaway.
What is Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and what are its symptoms?
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare but serious condition. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as muscle stiffness, a very high temperature (fever), feeling confused, a fast heartbeat, and sweating, as these can be signs of this condition.
Ulteriori letture e riferimenti
- Manufacturer's PIL, Tetrabenazine 25 mg Tablets; Ranbaxy (UK) Ltd (a Sun Pharmaceutical Company), The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2022.
- Medicinali Completi BNF 89ª Edizione; Associazione Medica Britannica e Società Farmaceutica Reale di Gran Bretagna, Londra.
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About the authorView full bio

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Medicine Leaflet Review Manager – Contractor, Pharmacist
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael is a community pharmacist practicing in the Midlands and South Yorkshire with more than 20 years’ experience advising on medicines and medical conditions. He has a strong background in healthcare training, having produced and delivered training courses for pharmacy teams and staff of residential care settings, including nurses. He has also contributed to pharmacy advisory boards for the management of low acuity conditions in the community.
About the reviewer

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani qualified at the London School of Pharmacy in 1994 and became the youngest elected member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society council since its founding in 1842.
Storia dell'articolo
Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.
Prossima revisione prevista: 14 Apr 2028
14 Apr 2025 | Ultima versione

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