Tetrabenazine tablets

About tetrabenazine tablets

Tetrabenazine acts on your brain and nervous system. It is used to treat uncontrolled jerky muscle movements associated with a conditions such as Huntington's chorea and tardive dyskinesia.

We do not know exactly how tetrabenazine works, but it is known to reduce the levels of a chemical in brain cells, called dopamine. Dopamine is involved in controlling our muscles so lower levels in the brain mean reduced muscle movements.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking tetrabenazine it is important that your doctor knows:

• Om du är gravid eller ammar.

• Om du har några problem med hur din lever fungerar, eller om du har några problem med hur dina njurar fungerar.

• If you know you have problems with your heart rhythm.

• If you have depression or thoughts of harming yourself.

• If you have Parkinson-like symptoms.

• If you have been told you have a tumour on your adrenal gland, called phaeochromocytoma, or if you have any other cancer.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about tetrabenazine, and will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.

• Take tetrabenazine tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be adjusted to suit your condition, so your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day. This information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said to you. As a guide, you could be asked to take either one, two or three doses each day.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take it either with or without food.

• Try to take the tablets at the same time(s) each day, as this will help you to remember to take your doses regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose and take the next dose as normal). Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

• Försök att hålla dina regelbundna möten med din läkare. Detta är så att din läkare kan följa upp din utveckling.

• Treatment with tetrabenazine is usually long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless you are advised otherwise. Stopping suddenly can cause problems and your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Tetrabenazine can cause you to feel drowsy. You should not drink alcohol as this can make the sleepiness worse.
  

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with tetrabenazine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på tabletterna, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.