Deutetrabenazine (brand name Austedo) is a medication used to treat chorea (involuntary, rapid, irregular movements) associated with Huntington's disease. It is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor, which works by blocking the release of dopamine in the brain. It is taken by mouth once or twice daily and can be used alone or in combination with other medications. Side effects may include nausea, insomnia, headache, and fatigue.
Deutetrabenazine is a medication used to treat involuntary movements caused by tardive dyskinesia or Huntington's disease . It works by reducing the amount of certain chemicals in the brain that can cause these movements. Deutetrabenazine is available in tablet form and is taken by mouth.
Here's some additional information about Deutetrabenazine:
- How it works: Deutetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. VMAT2 is a protein that helps to store certain chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin. By inhibiting VMAT2, deutetrabenazine reduces the levels of these chemicals in the brain, which can help to improve symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and Huntington's disease.
- Conditions it treats: Deutetrabenazine is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease and tardive dyskinesia.
- Side effects: Deutetrabenazine can cause some side effects, including drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and headache. It can also cause insomnia in some people.
It is important to note that this is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience.
Deutetrabenazine is a relatively new medication, and more research is needed to determine its long-term safety and efficacy. If you are considering taking deutetrabenazine, you should talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.