I was right about tetrabenazine. It is bad

Now that tetrabenazine is available in the United States, many people with HD are taking a look at the drug and wondering if they should try it to reduce their chorea. A new study by Italian researchers analyzed the long term effects of taking TBZ in HD patients who were seen over time at a movement clinic. Sixty-eight patients were included in the retrospective study; they averaged 34 months of treatment. The researchers point out that the doctors started by prescribing low doses of the drug, given two or three times a day and titrating upwards. This is important to balance benefit with side effects. The study is a good complement to the double blind placebo controlled studies that were done prior to the FDA approval of TBZ and that the Lighthouse has covered. This study follows what happens with patients over time as they work to manage their condition with their doctors -- they had side effects, their doses were adjusted, and they were prescribed other medications as well. Seven percent of the patients did not benefit from TBZ and it was discontinued. Half of the patients reported at least one side effect and two of them decided to discontinue the drug. Chorea was reduced for the remaining patients, but the magnitude of the benefit was reduced somewhat over time despite increases in dosage.