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Diagnosis

HD is typically diagnosed by a specialist (or neurologist) after a blood test and thorough neurological examination that includes brain imaging, genetic testing and a review of your family history.¹ If you or your loved one is interested in finding a specialist who treats Huntington's disease, please click here.

Brain imaging tests can include computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).²

Thanks to the discovery of the HD gene in 1993, doctors can now use genetic testing to confirm an HD diagnosis.²

If there is an unknown or negative family history, genetic testing can determine whether individuals showing symptoms actually have the HD gene.^2,3
Even before symptoms appear, pre-symptomatic genetic testing can help diagnose HD in individuals who have HD in their family but don't yet show symptoms.²

Sources:

Huntington's Disease. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disease/DS00401
Huntington's Disease: Hope Through Research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/detail_huntington.htm.
Rosenblatt A, Ranen NG, Nance MA, Paulsen JS. A Physician's Guide to the Management of Huntington's Disease. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Huntington's Disease Society of America; 1999.

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 cause serious side effects, including:
- depression
- suicidal thoughts
- suicidal actions
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) SRL