From the Research
The most direct substitute for Austedo (deutetrabenazine) is Ingrezza (valbenazine), another VMAT2 inhibitor used to treat tardive dyskinesia, due to its similar efficacy and more favorable side effect profile compared to tetrabenazine, as supported by recent studies 1.
Alternatives to Deutetrabenazine
When considering substitutes for Austedo, several factors such as the specific condition being treated, individual patient factors, and potential drug interactions must be taken into account.
- Tetrabenazine, another VMAT2 inhibitor, is used to treat tardive dyskinesia and Huntington's chorea, but it may require more frequent dosing and can have a higher risk of side effects like depression and suicidal thoughts 2.
- Ingrezza (valbenazine) is specifically approved for tardive dyskinesia and offers the convenience of once-daily dosing, with a potentially more favorable side effect profile compared to tetrabenazine 3.
Key Considerations
The choice between these medications often depends on factors such as:
- Severity of symptoms
- Patient tolerance
- Insurance coverage Non-VMAT2 inhibitor approaches, such as discontinuing the offending agent (if possible) or using atypical antipsychotics, may also be considered in some cases, particularly for tardive dyskinesia 4, 5.
Recent Evidence
Recent studies have compared the pharmacokinetics and safety of deutetrabenazine with tetrabenazine, highlighting the benefits of deutetrabenazine's longer half-life and lower peak-to-trough fluctuations 1. However, when choosing a substitute, it is essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality evidence, which currently supports Ingrezza (valbenazine) as a viable alternative to Austedo (deutetrabenazine) due to its efficacy and safety profile.