Austedo

Chorea, Huntington Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia

Treatment

5 Active Studies for Austedo

Treatment for

Chorea

What is Austedo

Deutetrabenazine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Deutetrabenazine is a medication used to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease. It works by blocking the uptake of dopamine into synaptic vesicles in the brain, reducing the levels of dopamine which helps to reduce the symptoms of chorea. Deutetrabenazine is taken orally as a tablet, and was approved by the FDA in 2017. It is marketed under the brand name Austedo.

Austedo

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Austedo Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Austedo

Deutetrabenazine

2017

Effectiveness

How Austedo Affects Patients

Clinical trials have shown that deutetrabenazine is effective in reducing symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, such as abnormal involuntary movements. Studies have also demonstrated that taking a single 24mg dose of deutetrabenazine can increase the QTc (a measure of the heart’s electrical activity) by about 4.5 milliseconds. The effects of taking high doses or long-term use of this drug are not known. It has been found that deutetrabenazine binds to certain tissues, such as eyes, skin and fur, in pigs. Even after taking a single dose, radioactivity

How Austedo works in the body

Deutetrabenazine works by reducing the amount of dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine in the body. It does this by blocking a protein called VMAT2, which is responsible for taking these molecules into nerve cells. Deutetrabenazine contains molecules of deuterium, a type of hydrogen, which help to slow down the metabolism of the drug so it can stay in the body longer and have a more lasting effect.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed measure of Austedo is contingent upon the diagnosed state, including Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), Chorea and Huntington Disease. The quantity additionally shifts as indicated by the technique of delivery featured in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Huntington Disease

6.0 mg, 9.0 mg, , 12.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 27.0 mg

Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated

Tardive Dyskinesia

6.0 mg, 9.0 mg, , 12.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 27.0 mg

Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated

Chorea

6.0 mg, 9.0 mg, , 12.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 27.0 mg

Oral, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, coated

Warnings

Austedo has ten contraindications and must not be taken when any of the conditions in the following table are present.

Austedo Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

inadequately treated depression

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Huntington Disease

Do Not Combine

Liver Disease

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

untreated depression

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Austedo.

Common Austedo Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Amitriptyline

Major

The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Deutetrabenazine.

Astemizole

Major

The metabolism of Astemizole can be decreased when combined with Deutetrabenazine.

Axitinib

Major

The metabolism of Axitinib can be decreased when combined with Deutetrabenazine.

Cabazitaxel

Major

The metabolism of Cabazitaxel can be decreased when combined with Deutetrabenazine.

Carbamazepine

Major

The metabolism of Carbamazepine can be decreased when combined with Deutetrabenazine.

Austedo Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Taking too much deutetrabenazine can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, bulging eyes, nausea, vomiting, sweating, low blood pressure, confusion, diarrhea, hallucinations, redness of the skin, and trembling. To treat an overdose, supportive care and monitoring of heart rate and vital signs should be provided. It is also possible that more than one drug may be involved. Deutetrabenazine does not appear to cause cancer in mice, nor has it been found to be mutagenic. Results from studies in rats suggest that deutetrabenazine does not affect fertility.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Austedo Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Austedo?

Currently, 6 active trials are assessing the efficacy of Austedo in providing therapeutic relief for Huntington Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) and Chorea.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Chorea

0 Actively Recruiting

Tardive Dyskinesia

0 Actively Recruiting

Huntington Disease

5 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3

Austedo Reviews: What are patients saying about Austedo?

Patient Review

3/15/2019

Austedo for Irregular Involuntary Spasms of Limbs or Facial Muscles with Huntington's Disease

I've been using austedo for over a year now and it's really helped with my tardive syndrome. When I first started taking it, I would get nauseous if I didn't take it with food, but that was quickly remedied. It's been an absolute wonder drug for me.

2.7

Patient Review

4/24/2019

Austedo for Abnormal Movements of Face Muscles and Tongue

Austedo is effective sometimes, but only for the first dose. I've tried it a few different ways and find that if I take the second dose between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., my mouth becomes painful.

2.7

Patient Review

7/11/2022

Austedo for Abnormal Movements of Face Muscles and Tongue

I started hearing a noise in my head that sounded like a tune after starting this medication. My doctor won't say if it was caused by the drug, but I'm planning to take legal action.

Patient Review

8/2/2020

Austedo for Irregular Involuntary Spasms of Limbs or Facial Muscles with Huntington's Disease

DO NOT take this drug. The side effects are incredibly severe and not at all worth it. I would never recommend this to anyone.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about austedo

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does Austedo cause weight gain?

"Weight gain wasn't reported as a side effect by people who took Austedo in studies. However, weight gain and appetite changes can be symptoms of depression. Therefore, Austedo has a boxed warning about depression and suicide risk when taken by people with Huntington's disease."

Answered by AI

What is Austedo used for?

"AUSTEDO is a prescription medicine that is used to treat involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington's disease. AUSTEDO does not cure the cause of the involuntary movements, but it can help manage the symptoms."

Answered by AI

What class of drug is Austedo?

"Austedo contains the active drug deutetrabenazine. It belongs to a class of drugs known as selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors. Austedo works to reduce the level of dopamine, a brain chemical, in the body."

Answered by AI

How effective is Austedo for tardive dyskinesia?

"AUSTEDO (deutetrabenazine) tablets has been shown to be effective in reducing involuntary movements in tardive dyskinesia (TD) in clinical studies. AUSTEDO is approved by the FDA to treat tardive dyskinesia in adults and it can help to control movements in the face, tongue or other body parts."

Answered by AI