1. Academic Validation
  2. Long-term tolerability of tetrabenazine in the treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders

Long-term tolerability of tetrabenazine in the treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders

  • Mov Disord. 2007 Jan 15;22(2):193-7. doi: 10.1002/mds.21222.
Christopher Kenney 1 Christine Hunter Joseph Jankovic
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. kenney@bcm.edu
Abstract

We sought to review the long-term tolerability of tetrabenazine (TBZ) and seek determinants of tolerability in the treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients treated with TBZ between 1997 and 2004. Efficacy of TBZ was assessed by a 1- to 5-point response scale (1 = marked reduction in abnormal movements, 5 = worsening). All adverse events (AEs) were captured according to their relationship with study drug. A total of 448 patients (42% male) were treated for a variety of hyperkinesias, including tardive dyskinesia (n = 149), dystonia (n = 132), chorea (n = 98), tics (n = 92), and myoclonus (n = 19). The mean age at onset of the movement disorder was 43.0 +/- 24.2 years, with TBZ starting at a mean age of 50.0 +/- 22.3 years. Patients remained on treatment for a mean of 2.3 +/- 3.4 years. An efficacy response rating of 1 or 2 was sustained in the majority of patients between the first and last visit. Common AEs included drowsiness (25.0%), Parkinsonism (15.4%), depression (7.6%), and akathisia (7.6%). Comparison of log-likelihood ratios revealed that age was a reliable predictor of Parkinsonism (P < 0.0001). TBZ is a safe and effective drug for the long-term treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders.

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