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Indications & Uses
Deutetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. Doctors use it to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease, and tardive dyskinesia in adults.
Pharmacology
Nobody knows exactly how deutetrabenazine works against chorea. The belief is that it acts by reducing monoamines (dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and histamine) in the nerve terminals, and this effect is reversible.
Its main circulating metabolites, α-dihydrotetrabenazine and β-dihydrotetrabenazine, are reversible inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2). With VMAT2 blocked, less monoamine is taken up into the synaptic vesicles, so the monoamine stores run down.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Patients not presently receiving Tetrabenazine
Chorea associated with Huntington's disease
Initial dose: 6 mg/day. Maintenance dose: 6 mg to 48 mg/day. Maximum dose: 48 mg/day.
Tardive dyskinesia
Initial dose: 12 mg/day. Maintenance dose: 12 mg to 48 mg/day. Maximum dose: 48 mg/day.
Titrate up at weekly intervals by 6 mg per day to a tolerated dose that reduces chorea, up to a maximum recommended daily dosage of 48 mg (24 mg twice daily). Give total daily dosages of 12 mg or above in two divided doses, and give them with food.
Patients receiving Tetrabenazine
If you are switching a patient from tetrabenazine, stop tetrabenazine and start deutetrabenazine the following day. The recommended starting regimen for deutetrabenazine in these patients is shown in the chart below, listed as the current tetrabenazine daily dosage followed by the initial deutetrabenazine regimen: 12.5 mg gives 6 mg once daily, 25 mg gives 6 mg once daily, 37.5 mg gives 9 mg once daily, 50 mg gives 12 mg once daily, 62.5 mg gives 15 mg once daily, 75 mg gives 18 mg once daily, 87.5 mg gives 21 mg once daily, and 100 mg gives 24 mg once daily.
After patients are switched to deutetrabenazine, the dose may be adjusted at weekly intervals.
Side Effects
The side effects seen most often with deutetrabenazine, in more than 8% of people, are sleepiness (somnolence), diarrhea, dry mouth and fatigue.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Deutetrabenazine can cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, and if this happens the medicine should be stopped. It can also cause akathisia, agitation and restlessness. Parkinsonism may develop too, and in that case the daily dose of Deutetrabenazine should be reduced, or the medicine stopped. Sedation and somnolence are also possible.
Contraindications
Deutetrabenazine must not be given to people who are suicidal, or who have depression that is untreated or not treated well enough. It is also not for people with hepatic impairment, or for those who are taking MAOIs, reserpine or tetrabenazine.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
There isn't enough data to say what risk deutetrabenazine may carry for the development of a baby when it is used in pregnancy. Nor is anything known about whether deutetrabenazine or its metabolites pass into human milk, what effect they might have on a breastfed infant, or whether the medicine changes how much milk a mother makes.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Use in Children
The safety and effectiveness of Deutetrabenazine in infants and children have not been established.
Patients with Hepatic and Renal Impairment
No clinical studies have been done to assess how renal and hepatic impairment affect the pharmacokinetics of Deutetrabenazine.
Patients Who Are Poor CYP2D6 Metabolizers
In poor CYP2D6 metabolizers, the maximum recommended dose is 36 mg per day (that is, 18 mg twice daily).
Overdose
When deutetrabenazine was taken in overdose, these adverse reactions were seen: acute dystonia, oculogyric crisis, nausea and vomiting, sweating, sedation, hypotension, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, rubor and tremor.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Store Deutetrabenazine below 30°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Common questions about Ajuben 12 mg
What is Ajuben 12 mg Tablet?
Ajuben 12 mg Tablet is a medicine that contains Deutetrabenazine. It is made by Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
What is Ajuben used for?
Deutetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. Doctors use it to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease, and tardive dyskinesia in adults.
What are the side effects of Ajuben?
The side effects seen most often with deutetrabenazine, in more than 8% of people, are sleepiness (somnolence), diarrhea, dry mouth and fatigue.
Can I take Ajuben during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough data to say what risk deutetrabenazine may carry for the development of a baby when it is used in pregnancy. Nor is anything known about whether deutetrabenazine or its metabolites pass into human milk, what effect they might have on a breastfed infant, or whether the medicine changes how much milk a mother makes. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Ajuben?
When deutetrabenazine was taken in overdose, these adverse reactions were seen: acute dystonia, oculogyric crisis, nausea and vomiting, sweating, sedation, hypotension, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, rubor and tremor. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Ajuben?
Store Deutetrabenazine below 30°C, and keep it away from light and moisture. Keep it out of the reach of children.
Is there a cheaper medicine with the same ingredient?
Ajuben is already among the lowest-priced brands of Deutetrabenazine at this strength.
Do I need a prescription for Ajuben?
Ajuben is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.