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Deutetrabenazine is a prescription vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor used in adults for chorea associated with Huntington disease and for tardive dyskinesia. Immediate-release tablets are sold as Austedo, while extended-release tablets are sold as Austedo XR. Dosing is individualized according to symptom reduction and tolerability.
read more about deutetrabenazine ...The precise therapeutic mechanism of deutetrabenazine is unknown. Its effects are believed to result from reversible depletion of monoamines such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine from nerve terminals through VMAT2 inhibition. Reduced dopamine storage is associated with decreased abnormal involuntary movements.
Deutetrabenazine is approved for adults with chorea associated with Huntington disease and for adults with tardive dyskinesia. It is contraindicated in patients with Huntington disease who are suicidal or have untreated or inadequately treated depression, as well as in patients with liver impairment.
Austedo XR starts at 12 mg once daily, while immediate-release Austedo starts at 6 mg twice daily. The total daily dose can increase by 6 mg at weekly intervals according to response and tolerability, up to 48 mg daily. Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors and poor CYP2D6 metabolism lower the maximum to 36 mg daily.
Deutetrabenazine carries a boxed warning for depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients with Huntington disease. Other serious concerns include QT prolongation, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, akathisia, agitation, parkinsonism, sedation, and hyperprolactinemia. Reserpine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tetrabenazine, and valbenazine are contraindicated with current therapy.
Deutetrabenazine treats Huntington disease chorea and tardive dyskinesia in adults.
It inhibits VMAT2 and reversibly reduces monoamine storage in nerve terminals.
The general maximum is 48 mg daily, with a 36 mg limit in selected CYP2D6 settings.
Yes. The boxed warning addresses depression and suicidality in patients with Huntington disease.
AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO (deutetrabenazine) Prescribing Information. https://www.austedo.com/globalassets/austedo/prescribing-information.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
DailyMed - AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR (deutetrabenazine). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7ea3c60a-45c7-44cc-afc2-d87fa53993c0. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
Deutetrabenazine. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a617022.html. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
Deutetrabenazine. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Deutetrabenazine. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
Deutetrabenazine Therapy and CYP2D6 Genotype. Medical Genetics Summaries. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540716/. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.