Tetrabenazine

Patients who have Huntington’s disease may be prescribed tetrabenaziine. This medication helps change the chemical balance in the bodies of people with this disease in order to reduce involuntary muscle movements.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can cause people with Huntington’s disease to become depressed or suicidal. Suicidal depression includes feelings of worthlessness or of being unimportant, the desire to die and the desire to hurt oneself. It may result in self-harming behaviors. All people on this medication should be monitored carefully for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The medication should only be prescribed for people with severe tremors and involuntary movements in order to eliminate unnecessary risks.