Drug Treatment for Huntington's

Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disease that affects the neurons in the brain, according to MedlinePlus. People with the disorder often develop problems with movement, coordination and balance, information processing and/or memory. Huntington's disease is degenerative, meaning it worsens over time, but there are a number of drugs that are used to treat symptoms of Huntington's disease.

Tetrabenazine

• Tetrabenazine is the only drug that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Huntington's disease. The medication works by increasing the amount of chemical called dopamine in the brain. It is used to reduce involuntary movements in Huntington's disease patients, but tetrabenazine can sometimes cause insomnia or tiredness.

Antipsychotics

• Sometimes physicians prescribe antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, clozapine or olanzapine, to reduce delusional and/or violent behavior, hallucinations and involuntary movements in patients with Huntington's disease. These medications can sometimes cause people to feel drowsy and/or experience muscle stiffness.

Tranquilizers

• Tranquilizers, such as clonazepam, benzodiazepines, paroxetine and venlafaxin, are used to treat feelings of anxiety, involuntary movements and violent behavior in Huntington's disease patients. People who are taking these medications sometimes experience feelings of euphoria and/or fatigue.

Antidepressants

• Sometimes doctors prescribe antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, sertraline or nortriptyline, to reduce depression and/or obsessive-compulsive actions in people with Huntington's disease. Common side effects of antidepressants are fatigue and nausea.

Mood-stabilizers

• Sometimes mood-stabilizers, such as lithium, carbamazepine and valproate, are used to treat mood swings and/or emotional outbursts in patients with Huntington's disease. Mood stabilizers can sometimes cause people to feel fatigued and/or nauseous.