Deutetrabenazine is used to treat Huntington’s chorea (a movement disorder characterised by jerky involuntary movements affecting especially the shoulders, hips, and face).
This medicine may be also be used to treat tardive dyskinesia (a condition that causes uncontrollable twitching movements of the mouth, tongue and limbs).
Take Deutetrabenazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Deutetrabenazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- presently having thoughts of self-harm
- untreated or inadequately treated depression
- history of irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- congenital long QT syndrome (an inherited disease causing abnormally fast heartbeats)
- liver disease
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Deutetrabenazine with medicines used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), reserpine, and other medicines for tardive dyskinesia. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of depression or suicidal thoughts or attempts
- slow heartbeat
- low potassium level in the blood
- low magnesium level in the blood
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
A certain enzyme called CYP2D6 is involved in the breakdown of this medicine in the body. Individuals who are poor metabolisers of CYP2D6 may experience enhanced side effects of Deutetrabenazine (e.g. heart rhythm disorder) and may require dose adjustments. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to undergo genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests, such as blood electrolyte levels and ECG (test used to record the electrical activity of the heart) may be done while you are being treated with Deutetrabenazine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, and mental status changes may also be needed.
Deutetrabenazine may cause you to suddenly fall asleep during your daily activities such as eating and watching television. Do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: inflammation of the nose and throat, dry mouth, diarrhoea, constipation, tiredness and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- having thoughts of self-harm
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- feeling restless or strong urge to move
- feeling faint, loss of consciousness, fast and irregular heartbeat
- high fever, problems in thinking, increased sweating, muscle rigidity
Notify your doctor if you experience symptoms that resemble Parkinson's disease (e.g. tremors, slowed movements, stiffness of the arms and legs, imbalance while walking) and other uncontrollable movements such as twitching and jerking.
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Deutetrabenazine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken reserpine (medicine for high blood pressure) in the last 20 days.
Do not take it with other medicines for tardive dyskinesia such as tetrabenazine and valbenazine.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine, haloperidol, ziprasidone
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol
- medicines for depression e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion
- certain antibiotics e.g. moxifloxacin
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Deutetrabenazine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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