CelluTarget · Multifocal Motor Neuropathy · Treatments
✓ Standard of Care

Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)

1
Evidence entries
0
Clinical trials
1
High-confidence findings
Overview
Treatment Details
Mechanism of Action
A vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor that depletes presynaptic dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, reducing the excess dopaminergic signaling thought to underlie chorea. The first drug explicitly FDA-approved for Huntington's disease (2008), following decades of off-label use elsewhere.
Dosing Notes
Titrated dosing, typically starting 12.5 mg daily and increasing based on response and tolerability; taken 2-3 times daily due to short half-life.
Treatment Type
pharmaceutical
Clinical Evidence
What the Evidence Shows
Each finding below is linked to its primary source. Confidence levels reflect the quality and quantity of available evidence — not CelluTarget's endorsement of any treatment.
High: Supported by multiple robust studies or regulatory approval
Moderate: Supported by limited controlled studies or consistent case series
Low: Based on case reports, expert opinion, or early-phase data only
High ConfidenceSupported by multiple robust studies or regulatory approval
Tetrabenazine was the first drug approved by the FDA (2008) specifically for HD, based on trials showing significant reduction in chorea versus placebo. Sedation and somnolence are common adverse effects, reported in roughly 31% of patients.
Verified Jul 2026
Peer Reviewed
Treatment Considerations With VMAT2 Inhibitors for Chorea in Huntington Disease
Published January 2026
View source ↗
Clinical Trials
Linked Trials
No clinical trials linked to this treatment yet.