Tetrabenazine Side Effects
Some side effects of tetrabenazine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.
For the Consumer
Applies to tetrabenazine: oral tablet
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking tetrabenazine: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using tetrabenazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
extreme drowsiness;
-
mood or behavior changes, thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
-
feeling restless, agitated, or hyperactive (mentally or physically);
-
tremor (uncontrolled shaking), restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
-
trouble swallowing;
-
problems with balance;
-
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
-
very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;
-
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms and dark colored urine; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath.
Less serious side effects of tetrabenazine may include:
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
feeling anxious or irritable;
-
mild drowsiness, tired feeling;
-
mild nausea;
-
breast swelling or discharge; or
-
cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to tetrabenazine: oral tablet
Psychiatric
Psychiatric side effects have included sedation, somnolence, insomnia, depression, anxiety, irritability, and obsessive reaction.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have included akathisia, balance difficulty, Parkinsonism, bradykinesia, dizziness, dysarthria, and unsteady gait.
Other
Other side effects have included fatigue, falls, and ecchymosis.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have included upper respiratory tract infection, shortness of breath, and bronchitis.
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects have included dysuria.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea and vomiting.
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension.
More tetrabenazine resources
- tetrabenazine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- tetrabenazine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Tetrabenazine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Tetrabenazine Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Xenazine Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Xenazine Consumer Overview
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.


