What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking deutetrabenazine?
You should not use deutetrabenazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
- untreated or uncontrolled depression;
- thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
- liver disease; or
- if you have recently taken tetrabenazine (Xenazine) or valbenazine (Ingrezza).
Do not use deutetrabenazine if you have taken reserpine (Serpalan, Renese-R) in the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- depression, anxiety, nervousness, or agitation;
- mental illness or psychosis;
- suicidal thoughts or actions;
- breast cancer;
- a heart rhythm disorder;
- long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
People with Huntington's disease may have a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Taking deutetrabenazine may further increase this risk. However, the benefits of taking this medicine (improvement in daily living) may outweigh any suicidal risks.
Taking deutetrabenazine may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease (resting tremor, stiff muscles, slow movements, difficulty maintaining balance and walking). Ask your doctor about your risk.
Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.