Austedo (deutetrabenazine) is a prescription drug used to treat involuntary movements caused by certain conditions. Austedo’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Austedo or Austedo XR* (extended-release) tablets can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To help save money on Austedo, explore coupon options from the drug’s manufacturer.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Austedo or Austedo XR, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

*Extended-release drugs slowly release the medication into your body over a long period of time.

Austedo only comes as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Austedo long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Austedo if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the medication. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Austedo. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of Austedo or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Austedo and cost.

How does the cost of Austedo compare with that of similar drugs, such as Ingrezza?

Austedo and valbenazine (Ingrezza) are both used to treat involuntary movements caused by tardive dyskinesia and chorea caused by Huntington’s disease.

The cost of Austedo compared with Ingrezza may depend on various factors.

For example, Austedo comes in two types of oral tablets (regular and extended-release). The form and dosage you’re prescribed may affect your cost of the medication. Ingrezza comes in only one form, an oral capsule.

Other factors that may affect how much you pay include:

  • whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • how long your treatment lasts

If you have questions about the cost of Austedo compared with the cost of similar medications, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.

How much does Austedo cost without insurance?

What you’ll pay for Austedo without insurance depends on several factors. Generally, your cost will be higher without insurance.

Factors that could affect your cost include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • whether you qualify for any savings programs
  • the pharmacy you choose
  • the form of the drug you’re prescribed
  • the supply of medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)

To find out the exact cost of Austedo without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Also, you may want to check with a few pharmacies to compare prices.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Austedo. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Austedo in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Austedo requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Austedo requires prior authorization.

If you still have questions about the cost of Austedo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual price you’d pay for the medication.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Are there lower cost drugs available if I can’t afford Austedo?
  • How does Austedo’s cost compare with that of tetrabenazin (Xenazine)?
  • Will Medicare cover the cost of Austedo?

To learn more about Austedo, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.