Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for chorea, a movement condition that can happen in people with Huntington’s disease. As with other drugs, Xenazine can cause side effects, such as sleepiness, fatigue, and depression.
Xenazine belongs to a drug class called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 blockers. The drug is available in a generic version.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Xenazine. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
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:
- sleepiness
- fatigue
- weakness
- mood changes, such as depression or anxiety
- insomnia*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
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*
- mild allergic reaction*
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.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Xenazine and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
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:
- Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when changing positions). Symptoms can include:
- dizziness when standing
- fainting
- blurry vision
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms can include:
- fever
- sweating
- Parkinsonism. Symptoms can include:
- muscle stiffness
- decreased balance
- tremor in your arms or legs
- A heart rhythm problem called long QT syndrome. Symptoms can include:
- dizziness
- fainting
- Akathisia (an inner sense of restlessness and need to move that can be distressing).
- Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior.*
- Severe allergic reaction.†
* Xenazine has a
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Xenazine. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Xenazine may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
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.
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.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Xenazine may cause, including its
Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior
Xenazine has a
Throughout your treatment with Xenazine, your doctor will monitor your condition 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. (Xenazine is prescribed to treat chorea, a movement disorder caused by Huntington’s disease.)
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 caregiver also monitor and report any mood changes right away.
In some cases, they may recommend treating these side effects while you continue taking Xenazine. Other times, they may recommend that you stop treatment with this drug. If so, they can recommend other treatment options for your condition.
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 your 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
It’s possible to feel restless after taking Xenazine. In fact, restlessness was one of the most commonly reported side effects in Xenazine’s clinical trials. People that 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.
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.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
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
This drug has a
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Xenazine. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Liver problems. Xenazine is processed in your body by your liver. If you have liver problems, your body may have a hard time breaking down Xenazine. This means that the drug can build up in your body, increasing your risk of serious side effects. If you have liver problems, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Xenazine. However, they can recommend a different treatment option for you.
Heart disease. If you have heart disease, including heart failure or a recent heart attack, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Xenazine. This drug may cause long QT syndrome, a type of irregular heart rhythm. If you already have a heart condition, taking Xenazine may make your condition worse. Your doctor can determine whether Xenazine may be a safe treatment option for you.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xenazine or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xenazine. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Breast cancer or a history of breast cancer. Xenazine may increase the level of a hormone called prolactin in your body. For some types of breast cancer, prolactin can cause tumor growth. If you have breast cancer or have had it in the past, talk with your doctor. They can discuss whether Xenazine is a safe treatment option for you.
Alcohol with Xenazine
Alcohol and Xenazine may cause similar side effects. For example, both may cause nausea and sleepiness. Drinking alcohol while taking Xenazine may increase the risk of these side effects or make them more severe.
If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Xenazine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Xenazine
It’s not known whether Xenazine is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
At this time, there aren’t any clinical trials to show whether Xenazine is safe to take during pregnancy. In animal studies, tetrabenazine (the active drug in Xenazine), caused an increase in pregnancy loss and congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects). However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always predict what may happen in humans.
It’s also not known whether Xenazine can pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who’s breastfed.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Xenazine. They can discuss the risks and benefits of taking this drug during pregnancy.
If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, let your doctor know. They can recommend safe feeding options for you and your child.
In most cases, side effects of Xenazine are mild. However, it’s also possible to experience serious side effects from this medication.
If you’d like to learn more about Xenazine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Xenazine. For details about other aspects of Xenazine, refer to this article.
- A look at Huntington’s disease. For details about Huntington’s disease, see our list of neurology and neuroscience articles.
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.