tetrabenazine

Tetrabenazine is a small molecule drug classified as a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. It is primarily used for the symptomatic treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease and has also been used in other hyperkinetic movement disorders such as dystonias and tics[1][3][4][8]. Tetrabenazine works by reversibly inhibiting VMAT2 in presynaptic neurons, leading to decreased uptake of monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, histamine) into synaptic vesicles and depletion of these neurotransmitters from nerve terminals[4][6][8]. This mechanism reduces involuntary movements but does not address psychiatric or cognitive symptoms of Huntington's disease. The drug was FDA approved on August 15, 2008[4].

Brand names

XenazineNitoman

Other names

TBZtetrabenazinum