As with other drugs, Xenazine (tetrabenazine) can cause side effects, such as sleepiness, fatigue, and depression. If the side effects of Xenazine become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for chorea (a movement disorder) in people with Huntington’s disease.

If you have problems with side effects from Xenazine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Xenazine without consulting your doctor first.

Xenazine has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warning” section.

Xenazine can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Xenazine in clinical trials:

For more information about insomnia, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Xenazine. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Xenazine’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Xenazine include:

  • sleepiness
  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • irritability or agitation
  • problems with balance or coordination
  • decreased appetite
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • insomnia
  • restlessness

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of the above side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Xenazine and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Xenazine may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Xenazine’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Xenazine, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

In addition, Xenazine has a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Xenazine can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Xenazine. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Xenazine may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Xenazine 25 mg cause more side effects than Xenazine 12.5 mg?

It’s possible that 25 milligrams (mg) of Xenazine may cause more side effects than 12.5 mg. This is because higher doses of medication contain more of the active drug. Having more of the active drug in your body can increase your risk of side effects.

If you have concerns about side effects while taking Xenazine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Xenazine be prescribed for tardive dyskinesia? If so, are there certain side effects with this use?

No, Xenazine isn’t approved to treat tardive dyskinesia. This is a condition that causes involuntary muscle movements, commonly in the face and jaw. At this time, Xenazine is only approved to treat chorea related to Huntington’s disease.

If you have tardive dyskinesia, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for you.

If I stop taking Xenazine, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

No, you shouldn’t experience withdrawal symptoms from stopping Xenazine. Withdrawal symptoms can occur if you suddenly stop taking a medication that your body has become dependent on. However, Xenazine isn’t known to cause withdrawal symptoms.

Before you stop taking Xenazine, be sure to talk with your doctor. Stopping treatment may cause your chorea symptoms to come back. If you stop Xenazine treatment, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Xenazine has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about the risks of taking a medication.

Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Xenazine has a boxed warning for an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors in people with Huntington’s disease.

Throughout your treatment with Xenazine, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts. These symptoms may include:

  • sadness
  • loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • hopelessness or a sense of unimportance
  • irritability or anger
  • weight loss or weight gain
  • sleepiness
  • thoughts of hurting yourself
  • insomnia

It’s important to note that Huntington’s disease increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

What you can do

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your mental health history before you start taking Xenazine. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

If you notice symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts during treatment, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor may also recommend that your family, friends, or caregivers report any significant mood changes right away.

Your doctor may recommend treating these side effects while you continue taking Xenazine, or they may recommend stopping treatment with this drug. If they suggest you stop taking it, they can recommend other treatment options for your condition.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Xenazine may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Xenazine.

Insomnia

It’s possible to develop insomnia from taking Xenazine. This is when you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Insomnia was one of the most common side effects reported by people taking Xenazine in clinical trials.

In some cases, insomnia may also be a symptom of depression. If you develop insomnia during treatment, your doctor can help determine what may be causing it.

What you can do

If you experience insomnia during your treatment with Xenazine, tell your doctor. They can recommend the best ways to manage this side effect. For example, they may recommend avoiding caffeine or taking an over-the-counter medication, such as melatonin, to treat insomnia.

Nausea

It’s possible to develop nausea from taking Xenazine. Nausea was one of the most common side effects reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

What you can do

If you notice nausea after taking Xenazine, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage this side effect, such as taking your dose of Xenazine with food. This may help reduce any nausea that you experience.

Restlessness

Restlessness was one of the most commonly reported side effects in Xenazine’s clinical trials. People who feel restless typically feel as though they can’t stay still.

What you can do

If you’re feeling restless after taking Xenazine, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to manage this side effect. If your restlessness is severe or bothersome, they may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

Before you start taking Xenazine, talk with your doctor about any medical conditions that you have. They can determine whether Xenazine may be safe for you.

Boxed warning: Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors

Xenazine has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warning” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Xenazine, discuss your health history with your doctor. Xenazine may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.