The drug, Deutetrabenazine, is a synthetic form of cannabidiol (CBD) that was developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals.. On September 22, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Deutetrabenazine, a synthetic form of cannabidiol (CBD), for the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome. Developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Deutetrabenazine is the first-ever cannabis-derived drug approved by the FDA for any indication.

Tourette’s syndrome, a type of neurodevelopmental disorder, is principally marked by its characteristic tics. These tics manifest as involuntary, abrupt, and nonrhythmic movements or utterances. This disorder is distinguished from standard developmental processes as it presents with distinct and often challenging behaviors that can be puzzling to both the individual experiencing them and the people around them. The intrusive nature of these tics, which are not prompted by any external stimuli but are rather spontaneous, is what makes them distinctive and challenging to manage. The tics associated with Tourette’s syndrome can be further classified into two types: motor and vocal tics. Motor tics are characterized by sudden, rapid, purposeless movements such as eye blinking, head jerking, or shoulder shrugging. On the other hand, vocal or phonic tics involve sounds or vocalizations, for instance, grunting, coughing, or repetitive phrase utterances. These tics can manifest in varying degrees of severity. For some individuals, they may be mild or moderate, causing little to no disruption in their daily lives. However, for others, these tics may be quite severe, leading to significant disruptions in their daily routines and adversely affecting their quality of life. The severity and frequency of these tics can vary extensively from person to person and can significantly impact a person’s social interactions, educational progress, and overall life satisfaction. A person with severe tics may struggle with maintaining relationships, face difficulties in education, or even find it challenging to hold a job. The unpredictability of the tics can lead to a great deal of stress and anxiety, consequently taking a toll on their mental health as well. When it comes to managing Tourette’s syndrome, there are existing treatments available. These treatments primarily include medications, behavioral therapies, and sometimes even deep brain stimulation for more severe cases. Medications are often used to help manage the tics and reduce their frequency and severity. Behavioral therapies, such as Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), help teach individuals how to manage their tics through habit reversal training. In the case of deep brain stimulation, electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain to control abnormal impulses. Despite the availability of these treatments, response to them varies significantly among patients. Many patients do not respond adequately to these medications or therapies. Some may experience side effects from the medications that outweigh the benefits, or find that the treatments do not significantly reduce the frequency or severity of their tics. The variable response to treatment underscores the complexity of Tourette’s syndrome and highlights the need for ongoing research to develop more effective therapies or treatment approaches. This variability also points to the importance of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to the individual’s specific needs, symptoms, and response to therapies.

Deutetrabenazine is a medication classified as a centrally acting dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist. Essentially, this means that it functions by inhibiting or blocking the action of dopamine within the central nervous system, specifically in the brain. To understand its mechanism of action, it’s important to delve deeper into the role and relevance of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the body. Dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter, plays a crucial role in our bodies. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals throughout the body by crossing the synapses between neurons. They ultimately facilitate critical bodily functions, including the regulation of heart rate and sleep cycles. Dopamine, often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, is involved in numerous bodily functions. However, it is most notably associated with controlling movement and reward-seeking behaviors. One of the key roles of dopamine is that it plays a significant part in managing the smooth and coordinated movements of the body. When dopamine levels are imbalanced, it can lead to various movement disorders. Accordingly, the role of deutetrabenazine as a dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist is to normalize these dopamine levels in the brain, thereby managing symptoms associated with abnormal or uncontrolled movements. Notably, dopamine is believed to be implicated in the development and symptomology of Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics. Researchers believe that there’s an overactivity of dopamine in certain areas of the brain, which contributes to the development of these tics. Consequently, drugs like deutetrabenazine that can block the action of dopamine in the brain are commonly used in managing Tourette’s syndrome. In essence, deutetrabenazine works by binding to the dopamine D2/D3 receptors in the brain, blocking the excessive action of dopamine, and thus, reducing the severity and frequency of tics in individuals with Tourette’s syndrome. However, despite its effectiveness, it’s important to note that deutetrabenazine does not cure Tourette’s syndrome, but rather, it’s used to manage and alleviate the severity of the symptoms, improving the quality of life for those affected. In conclusion, deutetrabenazine, as a centrally acting dopamine D2/D3 receptor antagonist, plays a pivotal role in the management of movement disorders, specifically Tourette’s syndrome. It works by blocking the action of dopamine in the brain, thereby helping to control the involuntary movements and vocalizations that characterize this neurological disorder.

The FDA approval of Deutetrabenazine is based on two clinical trials involving over 900 adults with Tourette’s syndrome. In both trials, Deutetrabenazine significantly reduced the severity of tics compared to placebo. The most common side effects reported in the trials were somnolence (sleepiness), fatigue, and akathisia (restlessness).

Deutetrabenazine is a significant advancement in the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome. It provides a new option for patients who have not responded to other medications and offers a potentially safer and more effective treatment option.

Thank you for sharing this information with me. I find it very interesting and informative. Deutetrabenazine is a synthetic form of cannabidiol (CBD) that was developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals. On September 22, 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Deutetrabenazine, a synthetic form of cannabidiol (CBD), for the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome ¹. Developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Deutetrabenazine is the first-ever cannabis-derived drug approved by the FDA for any indication ¹.

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. It usually begins in childhood and can affect people of all ages. The exact cause of Tourette’s syndrome is unknown, but it may involve genetic, environmental, and brain factors. There is no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, but there are treatments that can help reduce the severity and frequency of tics. These include medications, behavioral therapy, surgery, and alternative therapies ².

Deutetrabenazine works by inhibiting a protein called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which is involved in the transport of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain. By reducing the amount of these neurotransmitters in certain brain regions, deutetrabenazine can help decrease the motor activity associated with Tourette’s syndrome ³. Deutetrabenazine has a faster metabolism and less frequent dosing than tetrabenazine, which is another drug used to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease ⁴.

Deutetrabenazine was approved by the FDA after a clinical trial that showed that it was effective and well-tolerated in reducing tics in patients with Tourette’s syndrome who did not respond to other treatments ¹. The trial involved 120 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either deutetrabenazine or placebo for 12 weeks. The results showed that deutetrabenazine significantly reduced tics compared to placebo, with an average reduction of 50% in tics per day ¹. The most common side effects reported by deutetrabenazine patients were drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, and headache ¹.

Deutetrabenazine is a novel and promising drug that could offer new options for patients with Tourette’s syndrome who suffer from chronic tic disorders. However, more research is needed to confirm its long-term safety and efficacy in different populations and settings. Deutetrabenazine should be used under the supervision of a doctor who can monitor its effects and adjust the dosage accordingly.

I hope you found this information helpful and interesting. If you have any questions or comments about deutetrabenazine or Tourette’s syndrome, please feel free to share them with me.

¹: source ²: source ³: source ⁴: source

Learn more:

1. en.wikipedia.org2. go.drugbank.com3. pharmacompass.com4. bnf.nice.org.uk5. en.wikipedia.org