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How to Get Xenazine

A special distribution process administered by the Xenazine Information Center (XIC) has been put in place to ensure that you or your loved one has access to Xenazine. It is not available through your local retail pharmacy. Your physician (or physician’s office staff) will follow a few steps outlined below in order for you to receive your medication.

Step 1: Treatment Form

Your doctor will complete, sign and fax a treatment form to the Xenazine Information Center (XIC). This form contains information about you, your insurance, your prescription, and instructions on how to take Xenazine. You will also be asked to sign this form.

Step 2: Insurance Verification

The XIC has trained staff who will assist you and your doctor in verifying insurance benefits and handling any barriers to medication access that might arise. The maker of Xenazine, Lundbeck Inc., is committed to helping ensure that you or your loved one has access to Xenazine. If you don’t have insurance or want to learn more about medication assistance, please click here.

Step 3: Medication mailed from a Specialty Pharmacy

Upon completion of the benefits investigation, a specialty pharmacy will dispense (or fill) your Xenazine prescription based on your doctor’s instructions. They will also collect any co-payments due and mail your prescription along with a Medication Guide to either your home or your doctor’s office as directed on the treatment form. It may take a couple of weeks before you actually receive your medication. The specialty pharmacy may also send you refill reminders to ensure that you do not stop or forget to take your medication. It is important that you always discuss any concerns or changes in how you take your medication with your doctor.

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.