On this page

Tetrabenazine

Prescription ANDA TE AB Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Tetrabenazine
Generic name
Tetrabenazine
Dosage form
Tablet, Coated
Route
Oral
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
8
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Tetrabenazine 12.5 mg/1 199592 View
Tetrabenazine 25 mg/1 199592 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Tablet, Coated
Route of administration
Oral
Presentations
10

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitor [EPC] EPC 5 members — no class page
Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitors [MoA] MoA 5 members — no class page

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
204574
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
February 3, 2016
Sponsor
HETERO LABS LTD V
Products on application
2
Submissions recorded
2
Products approved under application 204574.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
204574-001 TETRABENAZINE TABLET TETRABENAZINE Prescription AB
204574-002 TETRABENAZINE TABLET TETRABENAZINE Prescription AB

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 204574.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 1 Labeling Approved January 4, 2021 Standard
Original application 1 Approved February 3, 2016 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Original application · February 5, 2016

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20180116). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20180116

Boxed Warning

openFDA Drug Labeling

WARNING: DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY WARNING: DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY Tetrabenazine tablets can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington’s disease. Anyone considering the use of tetrabenazine tablets must balance the risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for control of chorea. Close observation of patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior should accompany therapy. Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed of the risk of depression and suicidality and should be instructed to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician. Particular caution should be exercised in treating patients with a history of depression or prior suicide attempts or ideation, which are increased in frequency in Huntington’s disease. Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients who are actively suicidal, and in patients with untreated or inadequately treated depression [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. • Increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington’s disease (5.1) • Balance risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for control of chorea when considering the use of tetrabenazine tablets (5.2) • Monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior (5.1) • Inform patients, caregivers and families of the risk of depression and suicidality and instruct to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician (5.1) • Exercise caution when treating patients with a history of depression or prior suicide attempts or ideation (5.1) • Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients who are actively suicidal, and in patients with untreated or inadequately treated depression (4 , 5.1)

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

Contraindications (4) 9/2017 Warnings and Precautions, Tardive Dyskinesia (5.12-removal) 9/2017

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Tetrabenazine tablets are indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease. Tetrabenazine tablet is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease (1).

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION •Individualization of dose with careful weekly titration is required. The 1st week’s starting dose is 12.5 mg daily; 2nd week, 25 mg (12.5 mg twice daily); then slowly titrate at weekly intervals by 12.5 mg to a tolerated dose that reduces chorea. (2.1 , 2.2) •Doses of 37.5 mg and up to 50 mg per day should be administered in three divided doses per day with a maximum recommended single dose not to exceed 25 mg. ( 2.2) •Patients requiring doses above 50 mg per day should be genotyped for the drug metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6 to determine if the patient is a poor metabolizer (PM) or an extensive metabolizer (EM). (2.2 , 5.3) •Maximum daily dose in PMs: 50 mg with a maximum single dose of 25 mg (2.2) •Maximum daily dose in EMs and intermediate metabolizers (IMs): 100 mg with a maximum single dose of 37.5 mg (2.2) •If serious adverse reactions occur, titration should be stopped and the dose should be reduced. If the adverse reaction(s) do not resolve, consider withdrawal of tetrabenazine tablets. (2.2) 2.1General Dosing Considerations The chronic daily dose of tetrabenazine tablets used to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease (HD) is determined individually for each patient. When first prescribed, tetrabenazine tablets therapy should be titrated slowly over several weeks to identify a dose of tetrabenazine tablets that reduces chorea and is tolerated. Tetrabenazine tablets can be administered without regard to food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. 2.2Individualization of Dose The dose of tetrabenazine tablets should be individualized. Dosing Recommendations Up to 50 mg per day The starting dose should be 12.5 mg per day given once in the morning. After one week, the dose should be increased to 25 mg per day given as 12.5 mg twice a day. Tetrabenazine tablets should be titrated up slowly at weekly intervals by 12.5 mg daily, to allow the identification of a tolerated dose that reduces chorea. If a dose of 37.5 to 50 mg per day is needed, it should be given in a three times a day regimen. The maximum recommended single dose is 25 mg. If adverse reactions such as akathisia, restlessness, parkinsonism, depression, insomnia, anxiety or sedation occur, titration should be stopped and the dose should be reduced. If the adverse reaction does not resolve, consideration should be given to withdrawing tetrabenazine tablets treatment or initiating other specific treatment (e.g., antidepressants) [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. Dosing Recommendations Above 50 mg per day Patients who require doses of tetrabenazine tablets greater than 50 mg per day should be first tested and genotyped to determine if they are poor metabolizers (PMs) or extensive metabolizers (EMs) by their ability to express the drug metabolizing enzyme, CYP2D6. The dose of tetrabenazine tablets should then be individualized accordingly to their status as PMs or EMs [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3), Use in Specific Populations (8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Extensive and Intermediate CYP2D6 Metabolizers Genotyped patients who are identified as extensive (EMs) or intermediate metabolizers (IMs) of CYP2D6, who need doses of tetrabenazine tablets above 50 mg per day, should be titrated up slowly at weekly intervals by 12.5 mg daily, to allow the identification of a tolerated dose that reduces chorea. Doses above 50 mg per day should be given in a three times a day regimen. The maximum recommended daily dose is 100 mg and the maximum recommended single dose is 37.5 mg. If adverse reactions such as akathisia, parkinsonism, depression, insomnia, anxiety or sedation occur, titration should be stopped and the dose should be reduced. If the adverse reaction does not resolve, consideration should be given to withdrawing tetrabenazine tablets treatment or initiating other specific treatment (e.g., antidepressants) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Use in Specific Populations (8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Poor CYP2D6 Metabolizer …

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS & STRENGTHS Tetrabenazine tablets are available in the following strengths and packages: The 12.5 mg tetrabenazine tablets are white to off white, round, flat bevel edged tablets, non-scored, debossed with 'H' on one side and 'T5' on other side. The 25 mg tetrabenazine tablets are yellowish-buff, round, flat bevel edged tablets, scored, debossed with 'H' on one side and 'T6' with score line on other side. •Tablets:12.5 mg non-scored and 25 mg scored (3)

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients: •Who are actively suicidal, or in patients with untreated or inadequately treated depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. •With hepatic impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. •Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Tetrabenazine tablets should not be used in combination with an MAOI, or within a minimum of 14 days of discontinuing therapy with an MAOI. [see Drug Interactions (7.3)]. • Taking reserpine . At least 20 days should elapse after stopping reserpine before starting tetrabenazine tablets [see Drug Interactions (7.2)]. • Taking deutetrabenazine or valbenazine [see Drug Interactions (7.7)]. • Actively suicidal, or who have depression which is untreated or undertreated (4 , 5.1) • Hepatic impairment ( 4 , 8.6 , 12.3) • Taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or reserpine (4 , 7.2 , 7.3) • Taking deutetrabenazine or valbenazine (4 , 7.7)

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Periodically reevaluate the benefit and potential for adverse effects such as worsening mood, cognition, rigidity, and functional capacity (5.2) • Do not exceed 50 mg/day and the maximum single dose should not exceed 25 mg if administered in conjunction with a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine). (5.3 , 7.1) • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): Discontinue if this occurs. (5.4 , 7.6) • Restlessness, agitation, akathisia and parkinsonism: Reduce dose or discontinue if occurs (5.5 , 5.6) • Sedation/Somnolence: May impair patient’s ability to drive or operate complex machinery (5.7) • QTc prolongation: Not recommended in combination with other drugs that prolong QTc (5.8) 5.1 Depression and Suicidality Patients with Huntington’s disease are at increased risk for depression, suicidal ideation or behaviors (suicidality). Tetrabenazine tablets increases the risk for suicidality in patients with HD. All patients treated with tetrabenazine tablets should be observed for new or worsening depression or suicidality. If depression or suicidality does not resolve, consider discontinuing treatment with tetrabenazine tablets. In a 12-week, double-blind placebo-controlled study in patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, 10 of 54 patients (19%) treated with tetrabenazine tablets were reported to have an adverse event of depression or worsening depression compared to none of the 30 placebo-treated patients. In two open-label studies (in one study, 29 patients received tetrabenazine tablets for up to 48 weeks; in the second study, 75 patients received tetrabenazine tablets for up to 80 weeks), the rate of depression/worsening depression was 35%. In all of the HD chorea studies of tetrabenazine tablets (n=187), one patient committed suicide, one attempted suicide, and six had suicidal ideation. When considering the use of tetrabenazine tablets, the risk of suicidality should be balanced against the need for treatment of chorea. All patients treated with tetrabenazine tablets should be observed for new or worsening depression or suicidality. If depression or suicidality does not resolve, consider discontinuing treatment with tetrabenazine tablets. Patients, their caregivers, and families should be informed of the risks of depression, worsening depression, and suicidality associated with tetrabenazine tablets, and should be instructed to report behaviors of concern promptly to the treating physician. Patients with HD who express suicidal ideation should be evaluated immediately. 5.2 Clinical Worsening and Adverse Effects Huntington’s disease is a progressive disorder characterized by changes in mood, cognition, chorea, rigidity, and functional capacity over time. In a 12-week controlled trial, tetrabenazine tablets were also shown to cause slight worsening in mood, cognition, rigidity, and functional capacity. Whether these effects persist, resolve, or worsen with continued treatment is unknown. Prescribers should periodically re-evaluate the need for tetrabenazine tablets in their patients by assessing the effect on chorea and possible adverse effects, including depression and suicidality, cognitive decline, parkinsonism, dysphagia, sedation/somnolence, akathisia, restlessness, and disability. It may be difficult to distinguish between adverse reactions and progression of the underlying disease; decreasing the dose or stopping the drug may help the clinician distinguish between the two possibilities. In some patients, underlying chorea itself may improve over time, decreasing the need for tetrabenazine tablets. 5.3Laboratory Tests Before prescribing a daily dose of tetrabenazine tablets that is greater than 50 mg per day, patients should be genotyped to determine if they express the drug metabolizing enzyme, CYP2D6. CYP2D6 testing is necessary to determine whether patients are poor metabolizers (PMs), extensive (EMs) or intermediate metabolizers (IMs) of tetrabenazine tablets. P …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: • Depression and Suicidality [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] • Akathisia, Restlessness, and Agitation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] • Parkinsonism [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] • Sedation and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] • QTc Prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] • Hypotension and Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] • Hyperprolactinemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] • Binding to Melanin-Containing Tissues [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)] Most common adverse reactions (>10% and at least 5% greater than placebo) were: Sedation/somnolence, fatigue, insomnia, depression, akathisia, anxiety/anxiety aggravated, nausea (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hetero Labs Limited at 866-495-1995 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. During its development, tetrabenazine tablets were administered to 773 unique subjects and patients. The conditions and duration of exposure to tetrabenazine tablets varied greatly, and included single-dose and multiple-dose clinical pharmacology studies in healthy volunteers (n=259) and open-label (n=529) and double-blind studies (n=84) in patients. In a randomized, 12-week, placebo-controlled clinical trial of HD patients, adverse reactions were more common in the tetrabenazine group than in the placebo group. Forty-nine of 54 (91%) patients who received tetrabenazine tablets experienced one or more adverse reactions at any time during the study. The most common adverse reactions (over 10%, and at least 5% greater than placebo) were sedation/somnolence, fatigue, insomnia, depression, akathisia, anxiety/anxiety aggravated, and nausea. Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥4% of Patients The number and percentage of the most common adverse reactions that occurred at any time during the study in ≥4% of tetrabenazine-treated patients, and with a greater frequency than in placebo-treated patients, are presented in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in a 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients with Huntington’s Disease Adverse Reaction Tetrabenazine Tablets n = 54 (%) Placebo n = 30 (%) Sedation/somnolence 31 3 Insomnia 22 0 Fatigue 22 13 Depression 19 0 Akathisia 19 0 Anxiety/anxiety aggravated 15 3 Fall 15 13 Nausea 13 7 Upper respiratory tract infection 11 7 Irritability 9 3 Balance difficulty 9 0 Parkinsonism/bradykinesia 9 0 Vomiting 6 3 Laceration (head) 6 0 Ecchymosis 6 0 Decreased appetite 4 0 Obsessive reaction 4 0 Dizziness 4 0 Dysarthria 4 0 Unsteady gait 4 0 Headache 4 3 Shortness of breath 4 0 Bronchitis 4 0 Dysuria 4 0 Dose escalation was discontinued or dosage of study drug was reduced because of one or more adverse reactions in 28 of 54 (52%) patients randomized to tetrabenazine tablets. These adverse reactions consisted of sedation (15), akathisia (7), parkinsonism (4), depression (3), anxiety (2), fatigue (1) and diarrhea (1). Some patients had more than one AR and are, therefore, counted more than once. Adverse Reactions Due to Extrapyramidal Symptoms Table 2 describes the incidence of events considered to be extrapyramidal adverse reactions which occurred at a greater frequency in tetrabenazine-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients. Table 2: Adverse Reactions Due to Extrapyramidal Symptoms in a 12-Week, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Patients with Huntington’s Disease Tetrabenazine Tablets n = 54 % Placebo n = 30 % Akathisia* 19 0 Extrapyramidal event † 15 0 Any extr …

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1Strong CYP2D6 Inhibitors In vitro studies indicate that α-HTBZ and β-HTBZ are substrates for CYP2D6. Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., paroxetine, fluoxetine, quinidine) markedly increase exposure to these metabolites. A reduction in tetrabenazine tablets dose may be necessary when adding a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine) in patients maintained on a stable dose of tetrabenazine tablets. The daily dose of tetrabenazine tablets should not exceed 50 mg per day and the maximum single dose of tetrabenazine tablets should not exceed 25 mg in patients taking strong CYP2D6 inhibitors. [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. 7.2Reserpine Reserpine binds irreversibly to VMAT2, and the duration of its effect is several days. Prescribers should wait for chorea to re-emerge before administering tetrabenazine tablets to avoid overdosage and major depletion of serotonin and norepinephrine in the CNS. At least 20 days should elapse after stopping reserpine before starting tetrabenazine tablets. Tetrabenazine tablets and reserpine should not be used concomitantly [see Contraindications (4)]. 7.3Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs. Tetrabenazine tablets should not be used in combination with an MAOI, or within a minimum of 14 days of discontinuing therapy with an MAOI. [see Contraindications ( 4)]. 7.4 Alcohol or Other Sedating Drugs Concomitant use of alcohol or other sedating drugs may have additive effects and worsen sedation and somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. 7.5Drugs That Cause QTc Prolongation Tetrabenazine tablets causes a small prolongation of QTc (about 8 msec), concomitant use with other drugs that are known to cause QTc prolongation should be avoided, these including antipsychotic medications (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, ziprasidone), antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin), Class 1A (e.g., quinidine, procainamide), and Class III (e.g., amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or any other medications known to prolong the QTc interval. Tetrabenazine tablets should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, and in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias. Certain conditions may increase the risk for torsade de pointes or sudden death such as (1) bradycardia; (2) hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; (3) concomitant use of other drugs that prolong the QTc interval; and (4) presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8), Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. 7.6Neuroleptic Drugs The risk for Parkinsonism, NMS, and akathisia may be increased by concomitant use of tetrabenazine and dopamine antagonists or antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, olanzapine, risperidone, thioridazine, ziprasidone) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4 , 5.5 , 5.6)]. 7.7 Concomitant Deutetrabenazine or Valbenazine Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients currently taking deutetrabenazine or valbenazine.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. (8.1) See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION and Medication Guide Revised: 01/2018 8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects: Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of tetrabenazine in pregnant women. Administration of tetrabenazine to rats throughout pregnancy and lactation resulted in an increase in stillbirths and postnatal offspring mortality. Administration of a major human metabolite of tetrabenazine to rats during pregnancy or during pregnancy and lactation produced adverse effects on the developing fetus and offspring (increased mortality, decreased growth, and neurobehavioral and reproductive impairment). The adverse developmental effects of tetrabenazine and a major human metabolite of tetrabenazine in rats occurred at clinically relevant doses [see Data]. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data Tetrabenazine had no clear effects on embryofetal development when administered to pregnant rats throughout the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 30 mg/kg/day (or 3 times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD] of 100 mg/day on a mg/m 2 basis). Tetrabenazine had no effects on embryofetal development when administered to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 60 mg/kg/day (or 12 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis). When tetrabenazine (5, 15, and 30 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant rats from the beginning of organogenesis through the lactation period, an increase in stillbirths and offspring postnatal mortality was observed at 15 and 30 mg/kg/day and delayed pup maturation was observed at all doses. A no-effect dose for pre-and postnatal developmental toxicity in rats was not identified. The lowest dose tested (5 mg/kg/day) was less than the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. Because rats dosed orally with tetrabenazine do not produce 9-desmethyl-β-DHTBZ, a major human metabolite of tetrabenazine, the metabolite was directly administered to pregnant and lactating rats. Oral administration of 9-desmethyl-β-DHTBZ (8, 15, and 40 mg/kg/day) throughout the period of organogenesis produced increases in embryofetal mortality at 15 and 40 mg/kg/day and reductions in fetal body weights at 40 mg/kg/day, which was also maternally toxic. When 9-desmethyl-β-DHTBZ (8, 15, and 40 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant rats from the beginning of organogenesis through the lactation period, increases in gestation duration, stillbirths, and offspring postnatal mortality (40 mg/kg/day); decreases in pup weights (40 mg/kg/day); and neurobehavioral (increased activity, learning and memory deficits) and reproductive (decreased litter size) impairment (15 and 40 mg/kg/day) were observed. Maternal toxicity was seen at the highest dose. The no-effect dose for developmental toxicity in rats (8 mg/kg/day) was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) of 9-desmethyl-β-DHTBZ in pregnant rats lower than that in humans at the MRHD. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of tetrabenazine or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for tetrabenazine and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from tetrabenazine or from the underlying maternal condition. 8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. 8.5 Geriatric Use The pharmacokinetics of tetrabenazine tablets and its primary metabolites have not been formally studied in geriatric subjects. 8.6Hepatic Impairment Beca …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action The precise mechanism by which tetrabenazine tablets exerts its anti-chorea effects is unknown but is believed to be related to its effect as a reversible depletor of monoamines (such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine) from nerve terminals. Tetrabenazine reversibly inhibits the human vesicular monoamine transporter type 2 (VMAT2) (Ki ≈ 100 nM), resulting in decreased uptake of monoamines into synaptic vesicles and depletion of monoamine stores. Human VMAT2 is also inhibited by dihydrotetrabenazine (HTBZ), a mixture of α-HTBZ and β-HTBZ. α- and β-HTBZ, major circulating metabolites in humans, exhibit high in vitro binding affinity to bovine VMAT2. Tetrabenazine exhibits weak in vitro binding affinity at the dopamine D2 receptor (Ki = 2100 nM).

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION Tetrabenazine tablet is a monoamine depletor for oral administration. The molecular weight of tetrabenazine is 317.42. Tetrabenazine is a hexahydro-dimethoxybenzoquinolizine derivative and has the following chemical name: 1,3,4,6,7,11b-Hexahydro-9,10-dimethoxy-3-(2-methylpropyl)-2H-benzo[a]quinolizin-2-one. The empirical formula C 19 H 27 NO 3 is represented by the following structural formula: Tetrabenazine is off-white to pale yellow powder that is soluble in chloroform and sparingly soluble in methanol. Each tetrabenazine tablet contains either 12.5 or 25 mg of tetrabenazine as the active ingredient. Tetrabenazine tablets contain tetrabenazine as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch, sodium stearyl fumarate and talc. The 25 mg strength tablet also contains ferric oxide yellow as an inactive ingredient. The botanical source for pregelatinized starch is corn starch. Tetrabenazine tablets are supplied as yellowish-buff scored tablet containing 25 mg of tetrabenazine or as a white to off white non-scored tablet containing 12.5 mg of tetrabenazine. DESCRIPTION

10 OVERDOSAGE Three episodes of overdose occurred in the open-label trials performed in support of registration. Eight cases of overdose with tetrabenazine tablets have been reported in the literature. The dose of tetrabenazine tablets in these patients ranged from 100 mg to 1 g. Adverse reactions associated with tetrabenazine tablets overdose include acute dystonia, oculogyric crisis, nausea and vomiting, sweating, sedation, hypotension, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, rubor, and tremor. Treatment should consist of those general measures employed in the management of overdosage with any CNS-active drug. General supportive and symptomatic measures are recommended. Cardiac rhythm and vital signs should be monitored. In managing overdosage, the possibility of multiple drug involvement should always be considered. The physician should consider contacting a poison control center on the treatment of any overdose.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1How Supplied Tetrabenazine tablets are available in the following strengths and packages: The 12.5 mg tetrabenazine tablets are white to off white, round, flat bevel edged tablets, non-scored, debossed with 'H' on one side and 'T5' on other side. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 56 tablets (NDC 31722-821-56) Bottles of 112 tablets (NDC 31722-821-11) Blister pack of 100 (10x10) unit dose tablets (NDC 31722-821-32) The 25 mg tetrabenazine tablets are yellowish-buff, round, flat bevel edged tablets, scored, debossed with 'H' on one side and 'T6' with score line on other side. They are supplied as follows: Bottles of 56 tablets (NDC 31722-822-56) Bottles of 112 tablets (NDC 31722-822-11) Blister pack of 100 (10x10) unit dose tablets (NDC 31722-822-32) 16.2Storage Store at 20o to 25oC (68o to 77o F). [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
7,301
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: TETRABENAZINE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
31722-821-11 31722-821 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 112 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-821-11) August 17, 2015
31722-821-31 31722-821 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10 TABLET, COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (31722-821-31) August 17, 2015
31722-821-32 31722-821 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 100 TABLET, COATED in 1 CARTON (31722-821-32) August 17, 2015
31722-821-56 31722-821 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 56 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-821-56) August 17, 2015
31722-822-11 31722-822 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 112 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-822-11) August 17, 2015
31722-822-31 31722-822 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 10 TABLET, COATED in 1 BLISTER PACK (31722-822-31) August 17, 2015
31722-822-32 31722-822 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 100 TABLET, COATED in 1 CARTON (31722-822-32) August 17, 2015
31722-822-56 31722-822 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 56 TABLET, COATED in 1 BOTTLE (31722-822-56) August 17, 2015
31722-821 31722-821 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — August 17, 2015
31722-822 31722-822 Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — August 17, 2015

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.