Austedo

Chorea, Huntington Disease, Tardive Dyskinesia
Treatment
4 Active Studies for Austedo

What is Austedo

DeutetrabenazineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryDeutetrabenazine 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.
Austedois 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
11

Effectiveness

How Austedo Affects PatientsClinical 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 bodyDeutetrabenazine 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, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet
Chorea
6.0 mg, 9.0 mg, , 12.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 27.0 mg
Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet
Tardive Dyskinesia
6.0 mg, 9.0 mg, , 12.0 mg, 15.0 mg, 27.0 mg
Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, , Tablet - Oral, Tablet

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 RiskTaking 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
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3

Austedo Reviews: What are patients saying about Austedo?

5Patient 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.
2.7Patient 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.
2.7Patient 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.
1Patient 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

Clinical Trials for Austedo