Tetrabenazine
Tetrabenazine is a prescription medication used to treat chorea—involuntary, irregular movements—associated with Huntington's disease. It works by reversibly depleting dopamine and other monoamines from nerve terminals in the brain, which helps reduce the severity of choreiform movements. This medication is typically prescribed when chorea symptoms significantly impact a patient's daily functioning and quality of life.
Tetrabenazine treats chorea in Huntington's disease by depleting dopamine and other monoamines from nerve terminals.
This medication carries a boxed (black box) warning — the strongest type of FDA warning. Review the full prescribing information before use.
Key facts at a glance
- ATC
- N07XX06
- RxNorm
- 10390
- Generic
- Tetrabenazine
- Class
- atc-n07x
- Brands
- Xenazine
- Availability
- rx
- Lactation
- unknown
- Routes
- oral
- Forms
- tablet
- Regions
- US, EU, CN, JP
- Monitoring
- —
This page is for informational purposes only.
Do not use this information to diagnose yourself or to replace a physician's advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Tetrabenazine is FDA-approved for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease. It may also be used off-label for other movement disorders characterized by excessive involuntary movements, such as tardive dyskinesia, Tourette syndrome, and hemiballismus.
Tetrabenazine inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which is responsible for packaging dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine into synaptic vesicles for storage and release. By reversibly blocking this transporter, tetrabenazine depletes these monoamines from nerve terminals, reducing dopaminergic transmission and thereby decreasing choreiform movements.
Tetrabenazine carries a boxed warning for increased risk of depression and suicidality in patients with Huntington's disease. Common side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, and parkinsonism. It may also cause QT prolongation and should be used cautiously in patients with a history of depression, suicidal ideation, or cardiac arrhythmias. Regular monitoring of mood and movement symptoms is recommended during treatment.
Official drug label
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed July 26, 2026. · Read our editorial policy