What is Austedo: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Austedo overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Austedo, Austedo Tardive Dyskinesia Titration Pack 12mg

Generic Names:

  • Austedo

Uses:

  • Treats tardive dyskinesia and chorea caused by Huntington disease.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Central Nervous System Agent

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Austedo used for?

What form(s) does Austedo come in

  • Tablet

What are common Austedo doses?

  • Tablet 6MG

  • Tablet 9MG

  • Tablet 12MG

Common Austedo prescriptions

  • Austedo
    12mg tablet

  • Austedo
    6mg tablet

  • Austedo
    9mg tablet

How to take Austedo

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Swallow this medicine whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you stop taking this medicine for more than 7 days, do not take another dose until you talk to your doctor.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Swallow this medicine whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you stop taking this medicine for more than 7 days, do not take another dose until you talk to your doctor.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

What to do if you miss a dose of Austedo

Austedo contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to deutetrabenazine, or if you have liver disease, or Huntington disease with untreated depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Austedo warnings

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Changes in heart rhythm, including QT prolongationNeuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening)Akathisia (a movement disorder), including agitation and restlessnessParkinsonism (a movement disorder)

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may cause a new or worsening depression or changes in mood or behavior in patients with Huntington disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, a slow heartbeat, or heart rhythm problems (including QT prolongation), or a history of breast cancer.

  • This medicine may cause drowsiness, trouble with thinking, or trouble with controlling movements. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Austedo interactions

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Do not use this medicine if you are using reserpine. Wait at least 20 days after stopping reserpine before starting deutetrabenazine.

  • Do not use this medicine and an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of each other.

  • Some medicines can affect how deutetrabenazine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)Medicine to treat an infection (including moxifloxacin)Medicine to treat depression (including bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine)Medicine to treat mental illness (including chlorpromazine, haloperidol, olanzapine, risperidone, thioridazine, ziprasidone)

  • Do not use this medicine if you are using tetrabenazine or valbenazine. Take deutetrabenazine one day after stopping tetrabenazine.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Austedo side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Unusual changes in mood or behavior, thoughts of hurting yourself or others

  • Problems with balance or walking, stiffness, shaking

  • Fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, seizures, muscle stiffness

  • Trouble sitting still, feeling restless, nervous, or irritable

  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

  • Trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking

  • Worsening depression, trouble sleeping, racing thoughts

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Dry mouth, sore throat

  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

  • Sleepiness, unusual drowsiness, tiredness

  • Sleepiness, unusual drowsiness, tiredness

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