Comprimés de tétrabénazine

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.

Before taking tetrabenazine tablets

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:

• Si vous êtes enceinte ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement du foie ou des reins.

• 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.

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament.

How to take tetrabenazine tablets

• 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.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-la dès que vous vous en rendez compte (sauf s'il est presque temps de prendre la dose suivante, auquel cas ne prenez pas la dose oubliée et prenez la dose suivante normalement). Ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser une dose oubliée.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Essayez de vous rendre à vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès.

• 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.
  

Can tetrabenazine cause problems?

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.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui pourraient être dus aux comprimés, demandez conseil à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store tetrabenazine

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments