Austedo (deutetrabenazine)
Also marketed as Austedo XR. An approved treatment for Huntington Disease.
The same compound appears under different names depending on the context. Here is how to identify Deutetrabenazine wherever you encounter it, plus the key facts at a glance.
- Generic name
- Deutetrabenazine
- Brand names
- Austedo, Austedo XR
- Development code
- SD-809
- Drug class
- VMAT2 inhibitor
- Manufacturer
- Teva Pharmaceuticals
- How it's taken
- Taken orally.
An oral treatment for adults with the involuntary jerking and writhing movements (chorea) that occur in Huntington disease. A deuterated form of tetrabenazine with improved dosing convenience and tolerability.
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Where Deutetrabenazine fits
Preferred VMAT2 inhibitor for Huntington's chorea due to less frequent dosing and potentially fewer side effects than tetrabenazine. Also approved for tardive dyskinesia.
How Deutetrabenazine works
Huntington disease causes certain brain circuits to become overactive, producing involuntary movements called chorea. Deutetrabenazine reduces the amount of dopamine available at nerve endings by blocking VMAT2, a protein that packages dopamine for release.
Less dopamine means less involuntary movement. The deuterium modification slows the drug's breakdown in the body, allowing smoother blood levels.
Mechanism: VMAT2 inhibitor that reduces excess dopamine signaling causing involuntary movements
Side effects and safety
Carries a black box warning for depression and suicidality. Common side effects include drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, and fatigue. CYP2D6 metabolizer status affects dosing. Requires monitoring for depression and suicidal thoughts, restlessness (akathisia), parkinsonism, and sleepiness. It should not be used by people with Huntington disease who are suicidal or have untreated depression, people with liver problems, or people taking MAO inhibitors, reserpine, tetrabenazine, or valbenazine. It can affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation), so people born with long QT syndrome or with heart rhythm problems linked to a long QT interval should avoid it. The label also warns about neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, potentially fatal reaction with high fever and stiff muscles seen with a related medicine), worsening mood, thinking, or stiffness in Huntington disease, and raised prolactin levels.
This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to expect and when to seek medical attention.
Taking Deutetrabenazine
Taken orally. Standard formulation is twice daily; extended-release (Austedo XR, approved February 2023) allows once-daily dosing. Dose is slowly increased over weeks to find the optimal level.
Availability and cost
Only available as the brand-name product.
Deuterated form of tetrabenazine designed for improved pharmacokinetics (longer half-life, less frequent dosing). Patent-protected deuterium modification of an existing molecule.
Help paying for Austedo
Pick your insurance to see which help fits. Drugmaker copay cards can't be used with Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE; charity funds are the usual route there.
- Copay help
Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 per month for refills. Medicare, Medicaid and other government insurance not eligible.
For: private insurance · source - Other support
New patients can get their first 30 days free with a Free Trial Voucher.
The official page does not say who qualifies. Ask the program. · source - Insurance and case manager help
Benefits verification, specialty pharmacy help, dedicated nurse support, and help with financial options for insured, underinsured or uninsured patients.
The official page does not say who qualifies. Ask the program. · source
Good to know: Current brand shown is Austedo XR. Copay card requires self-enrollment at austedoxrsupport.com. Additional assistance for eligible patients per terms at austedocardform.com.
No charity fund for this condition is open right now. Funds reopen when they receive new donations; the foundations let you sign up to be told when one opens.
Clinical trial results
Phase 3 FIRST-HD trial showed significant reduction in chorea versus placebo. Extended-release formulation provides comparable efficacy with once-daily convenience.
Development history
Approved by FDA in April 2017 for Huntington chorea, and in August 2017 for tardive dyskinesia. The extended-release formulation (Austedo XR) was approved in February 2023. Offers improved tolerability over the earlier drug tetrabenazine.
Explore Huntington Disease trials
Other Huntington Disease treatments
Common questions about Deutetrabenazine
▸What is Deutetrabenazine (Austedo)?
An oral treatment for adults with the involuntary jerking and writhing movements (chorea) that occur in Huntington disease. A deuterated form of tetrabenazine with improved dosing convenience and tolerability.
▸How does Deutetrabenazine work?
Huntington disease causes certain brain circuits to become overactive, producing involuntary movements called chorea. Deutetrabenazine reduces the amount of dopamine available at nerve endings by blocking VMAT2, a protein that packages dopamine for release.
Less dopamine means less involuntary movement. The deuterium modification slows the drug's breakdown in the body, allowing smoother blood levels.
▸What are the side effects of Deutetrabenazine?
Carries a black box warning for depression and suicidality. Common side effects include drowsiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, and fatigue. CYP2D6 metabolizer status affects dosing. Requires monitoring for depression and suicidal thoughts, restlessness (akathisia), parkinsonism, and sleepiness. It should not be used by people with Huntington disease who are suicidal or have untreated depression, people with liver problems, or people taking MAO inhibitors, reserpine, tetrabenazine, or valbenazine. It can affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation), so people born with long QT syndrome or with heart rhythm problems linked to a long QT interval should avoid it. The label also warns about neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, potentially fatal reaction with high fever and stiff muscles seen with a related medicine), worsening mood, thinking, or stiffness in Huntington disease, and raised prolactin levels.
▸How is Deutetrabenazine taken?
Taken orally. Standard formulation is twice daily; extended-release (Austedo XR, approved February 2023) allows once-daily dosing. Dose is slowly increased over weeks to find the optimal level.
▸Is Deutetrabenazine FDA approved?
Yes, Deutetrabenazine (Austedo) is FDA approved (2017) for the treatment of Huntington Disease.
▸How does deutetrabenazine improve on tetrabenazine?
Deutetrabenazine has deuterium atoms that slow the drug's breakdown in the body, creating smoother blood levels. This allows twice-daily dosing (or once-daily with the XR form) versus 3 times daily for tetrabenazine, and may produce fewer side effects.
▸What is the black box warning on Austedo?
Austedo carries a black box warning for depression and suicidality. Patients with Huntington disease are already at higher risk for depression, so careful screening before treatment and ongoing monitoring are essential.
▸What is Austedo XR?
Austedo XR is the extended-release formulation approved in February 2023 that allows once-daily dosing instead of twice daily. It provides comparable efficacy with added convenience for patients managing Huntington chorea.
▸Is CYP2D6 testing required for deutetrabenazine?
No. The label does not require CYP2D6 testing before starting. CYP2D6 does affect how the body breaks down deutetrabenazine, so people known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, or who take strong CYP2D6 inhibitors, should not take more than 36 mg a day.
▸Is deutetrabenazine also approved for tardive dyskinesia?
Yes. Deutetrabenazine is approved for both Huntington disease chorea (2017) and tardive dyskinesia, making it useful across multiple movement disorder conditions.
▸How does deutetrabenazine compare to valbenazine?
Both are VMAT2 inhibitors for Huntington chorea, but valbenazine (Ingrezza) offers once-daily dosing without requiring CYP2D6 testing, while deutetrabenazine has both standard and XR formulations and a lower maximum dose for people known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers.