The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness (31%)
- Difficulty sleeping (22%)
- Tiredness (22%)
- Depression (19%)
- Restlessness (19%)
- Anxiety (15%)
- Fall (15%)
- Nausea (13%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., common cold, cough; 11%)
- Easily irritated (9%)
- Balance difficulty (9%)
- Parkinsonism (e.g., slowed movement, shakiness; 9%)
- Vomiting (6%)
- Bruising (6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Slurred speech
- Unsteady gait
- Shortness of breath
- Bronchitis
- Low appetite
- Obsessive reaction
- Pain when urinating
Tetrabenazine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors: depressed mood, anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: high fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Abnormal heart rhythm, including QT prolongation: chest pounding, short of breath, chest pain, feeling faint, lightheaded
- Akathisia: restlessness, inability to sit still, squirmy or fidgety, agitated
Source: DailyMed
The following Tetrabenazine side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Body aches or pain
chills
difficulty in breathing
difficulty with swallowing
discouragement
drowsiness
ear congestion
fear or nervousness
feeling sad or empty
headache
inability to sit still
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of balance control
loss of interest or pleasure
loss of voice
mask-like face
need to keep moving
relaxed and calm
restlessness
shuffling walk
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
slow movement or reflexes
slurred speech
stiffness of arms and legs
tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
tiredness
trembling and shaking of fingers and hands
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
trouble with balance
unable to sleep
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Burning while urinating
changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
cough producing mucus
difficult or painful urination
dizziness
shortness of breath
tightness in chest
trouble in speaking
trouble in walking
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
fixed position of the eye
inability to move eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
mood or mental changes
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shakiness in legs, arms, hands, or feet
sticking out of tongue
sweating
trembling or shaking of hands or feet
uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual facial expressions
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Bruising
large, flat, blue, or purplish patches in the skin
Less common
Decreased appetite
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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