About Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, progressive disease that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to deteriorate over time.¹ Individuals with HD may experience uncontrolled (abnormal) movements, mental decline and emotional disturbances.² The goal for many people with HD is to maintain as much independence as possible while also dealing with its many challenges.

Huntington's disease may be passed from parent to child through a defective gene.³ Each child of a parent with HD has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the HD gene.² Individuals with the HD gene will eventually develop the disease.¹ Signs and symptoms usually appear between ages 35 and 42, although symptoms can also develop before age 20 and after age 50.⁴ Individuals who develop HD at a younger age often have more severe symptoms and faster disease progression.¹ A genetic test, along with a complete medical history and neurological laboratory tests (including brain scans), help doctors diagnose HD.¹

Before having the test, it is important that you and your loved ones are prepared for how you will feel after the results are known. Although there is no known cure for HD¹, it’s important to learn as much as you can from your doctor and other health care professionals about the disease.

Sources:

Huntington's Disease. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401
Gene Reviews; Huntington Disease. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=Huntington
Huntington's Disease: Hope Through Research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/detail_huntington.htm
Haddad MS, Cummings JL. Huntington's disease. Neuropsychiatry of the basal ganglia. Psychiatry Clinics of North America 1997;20:791-807

XENAZINE® (tetrabenazine) Tablets

Indications and Usage:

Xenazine is a medicine that is used to treat the involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington’s disease. Xenazine does not cure the cause of the involuntary movements, and it does not treat other symptoms of Huntington’s disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions.

It is not known whether Xenazine is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information:

Xenazine can increase the chance of depression, suicidal thoughts or suicidal actions in some patients.
You should not start taking Xenazine if you are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts.
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts or feelings. This is especially important when Xenazine is started and when the dose is changed.

Do not take Xenazine if you have liver problems or are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or reserpine. At least 20 days should pass after stopping reserpine before starting Xenazine. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or have breast cancer.

The need for therapy should be evaluated on an ongoing basis with your doctor. The dose of Xenazine should be adjusted slowly over several weeks for a dose that is appropriate for you. If your doctor thinks you need to take more than 50 mg of Xenazine each day, you will need to have a blood test to see if Xenazine is safe for you.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), restlessness, agitation, parkinsonism (slight shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or keeping your balance), trouble swallowing, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat have also been reported with use of Xenazine. Do not use Xenazine with drugs known to cause irregular heart beat. Side effects associated with Xenazine, such as irregular heartbeat, NMS, and parkinsonism, may be increased if used together with drugs called dopamine antagonists. Uncontrolled movements called tardive dyskinesia (TD) may develop in patients treated with Xenazine. It is possible that the TD will not go away.

Xenazine may cause sleepiness or drowsiness, and may affect the ability to drive or use dangerous machinery. Some side effects, such as depression, tiredness, trouble sleeping, sleepiness/drowsiness, parkinsonism, and restlessness, may be dose-dependent. If the side effects don’t stop or lessen, your doctor should consider lowering the dose or stopping your Xenazine. The most commonly reported side effects in studies with Xenazine were sleepiness/drowsiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, depression, restlessness, anxiety, and nausea.

For more information, please see the Xenazine Medication Guide and Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.

®Xenazine is a registered trademark of Biovail Laboratories International (Barbados) S.R.L.

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The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the U.S. The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.