Austedo
Common name: deutetrabenazine
Product Name: Austedo
Class of drugs: VMAT2 inhibitors
What is Austedo?
Austedo (deutetrabenazine) reduces the amount of certain chemicals in the body that are overactive in people with Huntington’s disease.
Austedo is used to treat autoimmune diseases (chorea)caused by Huntington’s disease. Deutetrabenazine is not a cure for Huntington’s disease and will not cure any of the symptoms.
Austedo is also used to treat the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, a disorder of the nervous system. Tardive dyskinesia causes recurrent uncontrollable muscle movements, usually on the face (chewing, clapping, tingling, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement).
This drug is not a permanent solution to spontaneous motion problems.¶
Warnings
You should not use Austedo if you have liver disease, untreated or uncontrollable depression, or if you have suicidal thoughts.
Do not use this drug if you have been taking reserpine (Serpalan, Renese-R) for the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, rasagiline, selegiline, etc.) for the past 14 days.
Stay alert to change your attitude, emotions, thoughts, or behaviour. Report any new or difficult symptoms to your doctor.
Your doctor will need to check your progress while using Austedo.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Austedo if you are allergic to deutetrabenazine, or if you have:
- untreated or uncontrollable depression;
- thoughts of suicide or self-harm;
- liver disease; or
- if you have recently taken tetrabenazine (Xenazine) or valbenazine (Ingrezza).
Do not use Austedo if you have taken reserpine (Serpalan, Renese-R) in the last 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor for the past 14 days. Dangerous drug interactions are possible. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure Austedo is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had it:
- depression, anxiety, anxiety, or anxiety;
- mental illness or psychosis;
- suicidal thoughts or actions;
- breast cancer;
- heart rate disturbances;
- Long QT syndrome (for you or a family member); or
- Electrolyte imbalances (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
People with Huntington’s disease may be at greater risk for depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Taking Austedo may increase the risk. However, the benefits of taking this medication (improvement of daily life) can outweigh any suicide risks.
Taking deutetrabenazine may cause symptoms such as Parkinson’s disease (tremor relaxation, stiff muscles, slow movement, difficulty keeping balance and movement). Ask your doctor about your risks.
Your doctor should check your progress on regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be aware of changes in your mood or symptoms.
It is not known whether deutetrabenazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while taking deutetrabenazine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
Austedo is not approved for use by anyone under 18 years of age.
How can I take Austedo?
Take Austedo as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on the prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Do not use this medicine in large or small amounts or for longer than recommended.
If you switch to the same drug called tetrabenazine (Xenazine), take your first dose of deutetrabenazine one day after your last dose of tetrabenazine.
Austedo is usually taken 1 or 2 times a day with food and a whole glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Swallowed the whole tablet. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the whole tablet.
Your heart rate may need to be monitored using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Do not stop taking this medicine without asking your doctor first. If you stop taking Austedo for more than 1 week, do not start taking it again without your doctor’s advice.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Dose information
The Common Adult Duration of Huntington Disease:
-First dose: 6 mg orally once daily
-Maintenance Dose: May increase dose by 6 mg/day at weekly intervals.
Maximum dose: 48 mg / day
Comments:
-Find the dose of each patient based on chorea reduction and tolerance.
-Manage the daily dose of 12 mg or more in 2 divided doses.
-It may release the drug without tapering.
-Re-titrate dose when you restart the drug following treatment interruptions for more than 1 week; resume treatment with a previous maintenance dose without titration if treatment interruptions are less than 1 week.
Use: Treatment of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for missed doses.
What happens if I overdose?
Get emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Symptoms of a drug overdose may include tremors or severe muscle cramps, rapid eye movement, vomiting, sweating, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, diarrhea, or lightheadedness.
What to avoid
This drug may interfere with your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the drug will treat you. Excessive dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Taking alcohol with this drug can cause serious side effects.
The side effects of Austedo
Get emergency medical help if you have symptoms of Austedo allergies: hives; shortness of breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or difficult symptoms to your doctor, such as crying, weight loss or appetite, feelings of insecurity, loss of interest in the past, new sleep problems, or if you feel hopeless, guilty, overwhelmed, angry, hostile, angry, or you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Other side effects may be symptoms of Huntington’s disease. Your doctor will need to check your progress from time to time.
- Call your doctor at once if you have:
- rapid heartbeat or heart rate, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and rapid dizziness (as if you may be out);
- pain or heat when urinating;
- severe instability or turbulence;
- trembling, trembling;
- muscle stiffness;
- problems with balance or interaction; or
- severe nervous system reaction – stiff (strong) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, rapid or uneven heartbeat, tremors, feeling like you may be fainting.
Common side effects of Austedo can include:
- drowsiness;
- feeling tired;
- dry mouth;
- runny or stuffy nose, sore throat;
- sleep problems (insomnia); or
- diarrhea.
This is not a complete list of side effects and some may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Austedo?
Austedo can cause serious heart problems. Your risk may be higher if you take other medications for asthma, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Taking deutetrabenazine and other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen the effect. Consult your physician before taking any opioid medication, sleeping pill, muscle relaxant, or medication for anxiety or fainting.
Many drugs can interact with deutetrabenazine. These include prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tell your doctor about all your current medications and any medications you are starting or stopping.