Medicine & USMLE

Tetrabenazine

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Other Neuro Pharm
  1. Ramelteon
  2. Triptans
  3. Benzodiazepines - Function
  4. Zolpidem Zaleplon Eszopiclone
  5. Suvorexant
  6. Bromocriptine (Ergot Dopamine Agonists)
  7. Pramipexole, Ropinirole
  8. Amantadine
  9. Levodopa, Carbidopa
  10. Entacapone, Tolcapone
  11. Selegiline and Rasagiline
  12. Benztropine, Trihexyphenidyl
  13. Tetrabenazine
  14. Baclofen
  15. Memantine
  16. Riluzole
  17. Full Opioid Agonists
  18. Partial Opioid Agonists
  19. Dextromethorphan
  20. Tramadol
  21. Naloxone
  22. Naltrexone

Summary

Tetrabenazine is a drug that works by inhibiting vesicular monoamine transporter or VMAT, which decreases the packaging and release of dopamine at neuronal synapses. Reducing dopamine signaling is helpful in the treatment of movement disorders like Huntingon’s chorea and Tardive Dyskinesia, which are characterized by too much dopamine activity in the brain.

Key Points

  • Tetrabenazine
    • Mechanism
      • Inhibits vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) → decreases dopamine release
        • Decreases dopamine vesicle packaging and release
        • Causes degradation of dopamine by monoamine oxidase
    • Clinical Use
      • Treats Huntington Chorea and Tardive Dyskinesia