Deutetrabenazine

Ajuben is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of-

Chorea associated with Huntington's disease

Tardive dyskinesia in adults.

The precise mechanism by which deutetrabenazine exerts its anti-chorea effects is unknown but is believed to be related to its effect as a reversible depletor of monoamines (such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine) from nerve terminals. The major circulating metabolites (α-dihydrotetrabenazine and β-dihydrotetrabenazine) of deutetrabenazine, are reversible inhibitors of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), resulting in decreased uptake of monoamines into synaptic vesicles and depletion of monoamine stores.

Patients not presently receiving Tetrabenazine: Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease -

• Initial dose: 6 mg/day
• Maintenance dose: 6 mg-48 mg/day
• Maximum dose: 48 mg/day

Tardive dyskinesia -

• Initial dose: 12 mg/day
• Maintenance dose: 12 mg-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). Administer total daily dosages of 12 mg or above in two divided doses and administer with foods. Patients receiving Tetrabenazine : If switching patients from tetrabenazine, discontinue tetrabenazine and initiate deutetrabenazine the following day. The recommended initial dosing regimen of deutetrabenazine in patients switching from tetrabenazine to deutetrabenazine is shown in below chert:

• Current Tetrabenazine daily dosage
• Initial regimen of Deutetrabenazine
• 12.5 mg
• 6 mg once daily
• 25 mg
• 6 mg once daily
• 37.5 mg
• 9 mg once daily
• 50 mg
• 12 mg once daily
• 62.5 mg
• 15 mg once daily
• 75 mg
• 18 mg once daily
• 87.5 mg
• 21 mg once daily
• 100 mg
• 24 mg once daily

After patients are switched to deutetrabenazine, the dose may be adjusted at weekly intervals.

Concomitant use of strong CYP2D6 inhibitors: Maximum recommended dose of Ajuben is 36 mg per day (18 mg twice daily) and alcohol or other sedating drugs- may have additive sedation and somnolence.

Deutetrabenazine is contraindicated in patients with Suicidal, or untreated/inadequately treated depression, Hepatic impairment and in patients Taking MAOIs, reserpine, or tetrabenazine.

Most common adverse reactions (>8%) of deutetrabenzine’s are somnolence, diarrhea, dry mouth, and fatigue.

There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of deutetrabenazine in pregnant women. There are no data on the presence of deutetrabenazine or its metabolites in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of the drug on milk production.

Patients may experience Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (discontinue Ajuben if this occurs), Akathisia, agitation, restlessness, and Parkinsonism (reduce the daily dose of Ajuben or discontinue if this occurs) and Sedation/somnolence.

The following adverse reactions occurred with overdosing: acute dystonia, oculogyric crisis, nausea and vomiting, sweating, sedation, hypotension, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, rubor, and tremor.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.