Tetrabenazine (TBZ)

Chorea is one of the most common and debilitating motor symptoms experienced by people with HD. Unfortunately, the United States has yet to approve any drugs for the treatment of this condition. This may soon change. Tetrabenazine (TBZ) is a drug that has been used for several decades in other countries to treat chorea and other movement disorders. In fact, it is considered the drug of choice for treating chorea in many countries outside of the United States. TBZ is available under the name Xenazine in Europe and Australia, and under the name Nitoman in Canada. According to reports from these countries, 80% of patients show an improvement in chorea. TBZ has recently undergone clinical trials in the US, and is expected to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) soon.

• How does TBZ work?
• What research has been done on TBZ?
• What are the possible side effects of TBZ?
• When will TBZ be available in the US?

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Last Modified: 1-25-06

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