Xenazine

Xenazine is a prescription medication mainly used to manage involuntary movements associated with Huntington’s disease. It contains tetrabenazine, which acts on specific brain chemicals involved in movement control. The medicine belongs to a group of drugs called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors that help regulate certain brain chemicals involved in movement control.

Huntington’s disease is a rare inherited condition that gradually damages nerve cells in the brain. One of its hallmark symptoms is chorea, an unpredictable, sudden, involuntary movement disorder affecting the face, legs, arms, or torso. Xenazine helps reduce the severity of these abnormal movements, allowing patients to maintain better control over daily activities and improving their quality of life.

Xenazine is FDA-approved to treat:

• Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.

The therapeutic effect of Xenazine is primarily due to its inhibition of vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2). VMAT2 is a protein found in nerve cells that helps transport neurotransmitters into storage vesicles before they are released into synapses.

When Xenazine inhibits VMAT2, it reduces the storage of neurotransmitters, especially dopamine, within nerve cells. As a result, fewer neurotransmitters are released during nerve signaling, which decreases overstimulation of motor pathways in the brain.

Since dopamine plays a central role in controlling movement, reducing dopamine storage and release helps decrease abnormal involuntary movements associated with Huntington’s disease. This effect helps reduce excessive movements.

Follow the prescribed Xenazine dosage schedule carefully when starting treatment.

Your doctor may increase the dose weekly to achieve the desired response, up to a maximum recommended daily dose determined by tolerability. Your healthcare provider may adjust the dosage based on how well you tolerate the medicine and any side effects that occur.

The Xenazine administration guide is as follows:

• Take Xenazine tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Take the tablets with or without food.
• Make sure you take the medicine at the same time every day.
• Do not crush or chew the Xenazine tablets. Swallow the tablets whole with water.

Xenazine Boxed Warning

Other Warnings for Xenazine Tablets

• Xenazine carries a boxed warning for depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in patients with Huntington’s disease.
• Patients with untreated depression or active suicidal thoughts should not use the medication.
• The drug may increase the risk of Parkinsonism, causing symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.
• It can prolong the QT interval, potentially leading to dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but life-threatening neurological condition, has been reported.
• Sudden discontinuation may cause a return or worsening of chorea symptoms.
• Alcohol may increase sedation and impair coordination while taking Xenazine.
• Patients with liver disease should not use the medication due to altered drug metabolism.

Like many prescription medicines, Xenazine (tetrabenazine) can cause both common and serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or unusual symptoms.

Before taking Xenazine, consult your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or supplements you are taking. Keep the following Xenazine precautions in mind:

• Inform your doctor if you have a history of depression or other mental health disorders.
• Use Xenazine with caution if you have heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms.
• Individuals with liver impairment should avoid the medication.
• Elderly patients may be more sensitive to side effects such as sedation or low blood pressure.
• Patients should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until they know how the Xenazine tablets affect them.
• Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider is important during treatment.
• Caregivers should watch for changes in patients' mood or behavior while they are using Xenazine.
• Report symptoms such as confusion, severe fatigue, or changes in movement immediately.

Xenazine should not be used in patients with:

• Untreated or severe depression.
• Active suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• Severe liver disease.
• Recent use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) within 14 days.
• Use with strong CYP2D6 inhibitors may require dosage adjustments.
• Use of reserpine within the previous 20 days.
• Known allergy to tetrabenazine or its components.

Your healthcare professional will monitor these factors before prescribing the medicine.

If you experience a Xenazine overdose, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Seek emergency medical help if any severe symptoms occur.

If you are taking Xenazine, follow the regimen as directed. If you miss a dose of Xenazine, follow a simple set of instructions:

• Take it as soon as you remember. However, if you have missed your Xenazine dose for 5 consecutive days, contact your doctor.
• If it is time for your next scheduled Xenazine dose, skip the missed one.
• Do not double your Xenazine dosage, as this can lead to severe consequences.

Follow these storage guidelines to keep the medication in proper condition:

• Store Xenazine tablets at room temperature (20°C-25°C or 68°F-77°F).
• Store Xenazine in the original bottle with the desiccant to protect from moisture.
• Store the medicine in a cool, dry place.
• Do not keep tablets in the bathroom to avoid humidity-induced degradation.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Certain medications may interact with Xenazine (tetrabenazine). Consult your healthcare professional for the complete list of Xenazine interactions. Some of them are listed below:

• Anagrelide
• Adagrasib
• Asenapine
• Amiodarone
• Bupropion
• Bepridil
• Bedaquiline
• Cinacalcet
• Ceritinib
• Fluoxetine
• Fingolimod

• Patients with Huntington’s disease may benefit from supportive care alongside medication. Physical therapy, nutritional support, and speech therapy can help maintain mobility and overall quality of life. Caregivers and family support also play an important role in managing the condition.
• Xenazine (tetrabenazine) can significantly reduce chorea symptoms in patients with Huntington’s disease. Many patients experience noticeable improvement in involuntary movements, which can help with daily activities such as walking, eating, and speaking. However, the response may vary depending on the individual and the severity of the condition.
• The safety of Xenazine during pregnancy has not been fully established. It is not known whether tetrabenazine passes into breast milk. Patients who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult their healthcare provider before using Xenazine.

Other medications may sometimes be used as alternatives if Xenazine is not suitable or available. Consult your healthcare provider before taking Xenazine alternatives to treat chorea related to Huntington’s disease.

• Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
• Ingrezza (valbenazine)
• Haloperidol
• Risperidone
• Olanzapine

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Persistent sadness or mood changes
• Suicidal thoughts or unusual behavior
• Severe muscle stiffness or high fever
• Irregular heartbeat or fainting
• Worsening movement symptoms
• Severe dizziness or difficulty walking

Xenazine is generally an expensive prescription medication. In the United States, the price of Xenazine can vary widely, depending on dosage, pharmacy pricing, and insurance coverage. Because some treatments can last for months or longer, many patients seek ways to reduce medication costs. Patients may choose to order Xenazine online from Canada to explore potential cost savings.

The price of Xenazine can vary if you purchase it from local U.S. pharmacies, especially if you don’t have insurance coverage. At Polar Bear Meds, we help you access your prescribed medications at more affordable prices by sourcing them through fully licensed Canadian and international pharmacy partners.

You can buy Xenazine online in Canada from Polar Bear Meds and enjoy additional benefits such as:

• Competitive pricing on genuine, prescription-based Xenazine.
• Exclusive savings opportunities, including a Xenazine coupon code for additional discounts on your first order.
• Effortless shipping within 3-5 business days through our reliable courier partners like Xpress Post.

At Polar Bear Meds, your prescription is filled through licensed pharmacy partners to ensure authenticity and safety. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable way to buy Xenazine online from Canada, Polar Bear Meds offers a convenient option.

• https://www.drugs.com/xenazine.html
• https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/021894lbl.pdf
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2730806/
• https://reference.medscape.com/drug/xenazine-tetrabenazine-343075#0