Which medications in the drug class Monoamine Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Huntington Disease?

Updated: Feb 27, 2019
  • Author: Fredy J Revilla, MD; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD  more...
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Answer

Monoamine Inhibitors

Antichorea effect of central monamine-depleting agents is believed to be related to its effect on reversible depletion of monoamines (eg, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine) from nerve terminals.

Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)

Depletes neurotransmitter stores of dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline within nerve cells in the brain, thereby altering transmission of electric signals from the brain that control movement by reversibly inhibiting vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2).

Efficacy and safety established in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Patients treated with tetrabenazine had significant improvement in chorea compared with those treated with placebo. Additional studies support this effect. Indicated for chorea associated with Huntington disease.

Deutetrabenazine (Austedo)

Orally administered VMAT-2 inhibitor. It is indicated for chorea associated Huntington disease.

Reserpine

Dopamine-depleting agent. Used in past to treat hypertension.


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