Deutetrabenazine; Tetrabenazine/MAOIs Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Very Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Deutetrabenazine, tetrabenazine, and MAOI's affect the brain.

What might happen:

You may develop restlessness, confusion, and become disorientated while taking these medicines together.

What you should do about this interaction:

Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. Let your doctor know if you experience any restlessness, confusion, or become disorientated.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

  • 1.Austedo (deutetrabenazine) US prescribing information. Teva Pharmaceutical, Inc. July, 2019.
  • 2.Tetrabenazine Australian prescribing information. iNova Pharmaceuticals (Aust) Pty Ltd April 12, 2017.
  • 3.Xenazine (tetrabenazine) US prescribing information. Valeant International September, 2017.
  • 4.Ramsay RR, Dunford C, Gillman PK. Methylene blue and serotonin toxicity: inhibition of monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) confirms a theoretical prediction. Br J Pharmacol 2007 Nov;152(6):946-51.
  • 5.Peter C, Hongwan D, Kupfer A, Lauterburg BH. Pharmacokinetics and organ distribution of intravenous and oral methylene blue. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2000 Jun;56(3):247-50.
  • 6.Surmaitis RM, Nappe TM, Cook MD. Serotonin syndrome associated with therapeutic metaxalone in a patient with cirrhosis. Am J Emerg Med 2016 Feb;34(2):346.e5-6.
  • 7.Skelaxin (metaxalone) US prescribing information. Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. January, 2024.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.