The present invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition that includes tetrabenazine and a release-retarding agent; and a method of treating a hyperkinetic movement disorder (e.g., Huntington's disease, chorea associated with Huntington's disease, hemiballismus, senile chorea, tic disorders, tardive dyskinesia, myoclonlus, dystoniia and/or Tourette's syndrome). The method includes administering an effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition, for a period of time effective to treat the hyperkinetic movement disorder.