Austedo and Austedo XR (deutetrabenazine) are prescription drugs used to treat certain conditions that cause involuntary body movements. Austedo can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include diarrhea and drowsiness.
Specifically, Austedo and Austedo XR are used in adults with:
- chorea that’s related to Huntington’s disease
- tardive dyskinesia
Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Austedo can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Austedo has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
Below are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Austedo or Austedo XR in studies. These side effects can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.
More common side effects in people taking Austedo for chorea related to Huntington’s disease include:
More common side effects in people taking Austedo for tardive dyskinesia include:
- insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- common cold
* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.
You may experience mild side effects from taking Austedo or Austedo XR. These side effects may vary depending on the condition you’re using Austedo to treat.
Mild side effects reported in people taking Austedo for chorea related to Huntington’s disease include:
Mild side effects reported in people taking Austedo for tardive dyskinesia include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop using Austedo unless your doctor recommends it.
Austedo may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Austedo medication guide for details.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Austedo, visit MedWatch.
In rare cases, Austedo and Austedo XR may cause serious side effects in some people. Serious side effects that have been reported with Austedo include:
- risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors*
- long QT syndrome†
- allergic reaction‡
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- feeling agitated or restless
- Parkinsonism†
- extreme drowsiness or tiredness
- increased levels of the hormone prolactin (which can cause erectile dysfunction, changes in menstrual periods, and changes in sex drive)
If you develop serious side effects while taking Austedo, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* Austedo has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effects explained” below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Austedo. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
The price you’ll pay for Austedo can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, the pharmacy you use, and any insurance coverage you have. To save money on your Austedo treatment, explore the coupon options below.
Learn more about some of the side effects Austedo and Austedo XR may cause.
Risk of depression and suicidal behavior
Austedo has a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
People with Huntington’s disease who take Austedo may have a higher risk for depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you’ve ever had thoughts of self-harm, talk with your doctor before using Austedo. They can discuss the risks and benefits of Austedo with you.
What might help
Throughout your treatment with Austedo, your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. If you do experience these, it’s important that you contact your doctor or get emergency help right away.
If you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, your doctor may monitor you more often throughout your treatment with Austedo. If you have symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts, you should treat your depression before starting Austedo. You should not take Austedo if you are depressed or if you have current thoughts of suicide. This medication can make your symptoms worse.
Symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts and behaviors may include:
- lack of interest in activities that used to excite you
- feeling sad or anxious
- fatigue (lack of energy)
- changes in your appetite or sleep
- thoughts of self-harm
Before taking Austedo, talk with your doctor about your medical history. Throughout your treatment, your doctor will monitor your mood to be sure that this medication isn’t having a negative effect on you.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism may occur from taking Austedo. Although it’s uncommon, parkinsonism may happen in people taking Austedo for either tardive dyskinesia or chorea that’s related to Huntington’s disease.
Parkinsonism causes movement problems. Symptoms of Parkinsonism may include:
- shaking or tremor
- muscle rigidness
- difficulty balancing or falling more easily
- difficulty walking
What might help
Your doctor will monitor you for symptoms of Parkinsonism during your treatment with Austedo. Most cases of Parkinsonism occur within the first 2 weeks of Austedo treatment or after increasing your dose. In most cases, Parkinsonism should go away after you stop taking Austedo.
If you develop symptoms of Parkinsonism while taking Austedo, tell your doctor. They may lower your dose of Austedo to see if your symptoms ease. In some cases, they may recommend that you stop taking Austedo and try a different medication to treat your condition.
Long QT syndrome
Taking Austedo may increase your risk for long QT syndrome, a heart rhythm problem that can be very serious. You may have a higher risk for long QT syndrome if you take other medications that also increase your risk for this side effect.
Symptoms of long QT syndrome may include:
- heart palpitations
- difficulty breathing
- dizziness
What might help
If you develop symptoms of long QT syndrome, tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will also monitor you throughout your Austedo treatment to watch for signs of this condition. If you have any questions about your risk for long QT syndrome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Diarrhea
Some people may experience diarrhea while using Austedo. In studies, diarrhea was one of the most common side effects reported in people taking Austedo who had chorea related to Huntington’s disease.
What might help
If you experience diarrhea during your Austedo treatment, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment to help relieve this side effect.
Allergic reaction
For some people, Austedo can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear how often this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Austedo.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Austedo, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effectsDuring your Austedo treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things such as:
- what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon after starting that dose you had the side effect
- what your symptoms were from the side effect
- how it affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were also taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how a drug affects you. Your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about side effects of Austedo and Austedo XR.
Can I just stop taking Austedo?
Yes, you can likely stop taking Austedo without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body is used to.) But symptoms of your condition may return if you stop taking the drug.
Do not stop taking Austedo without first talking with your doctor. You should never make changes to your treatment plan without your doctor’s recommendation.
If you’d like to stop taking Austedo, talk with your doctor.
Austedo and Austedo XR have some warnings that you should be aware of before taking either medication. See below for details.
Boxed warning: Risk of depression and suicidal behavior
Austedo has a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal behavior in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
People with Huntington’s disease who take Austedo may have a higher risk for depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.
Other warnings
Austedo may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Austedo. The list below includes factors to consider.
Certain heart rhythm conditions that affect your QT interval: Austedo can raise your risk for developing a heart rhythm problem called long QT syndrome. If you already have a condition that affects your heart’s QT interval, Austedo may make your condition worse. Tell your doctor about any heart conditions that you have before you start Austedo treatment.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Austedo or any of its ingredients, you should not take Austedo. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
Liver problems: If you have any liver problems, tell your doctor before using Austedo. This drug is cleared from your body by your liver. If your liver isn’t working correctly, your body may not be able to get rid of the drug. This can cause the levels of the drug to build up in your body, which can raise your risk for side effects. If you have certain liver problems, your doctor may recommend a different medication for your condition instead of Austedo.
Low blood levels of magnesium or potassium: If you have low blood levels of magnesium or potassium, taking Austedo may increase your risk of heart rhythm problems. Before prescribing Austedo, your doctor may recommend treatment for your low potassium or magnesium levels first. They may also order blood tests to check these levels during Austedo treatment.
Alcohol and Austedo
Alcohol and Austedo can both make you feel drowsy or tired. Drinking alcohol while you’re taking Austedo can make these side effects worse.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how much (if any) is safe for you to drink during your Austedo treatment.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Austedo
It’s not known whether Austedo is safe to take during pregnancy. It’s also unknown whether it’s safe to take while breastfeeding. This is because studies haven’t found whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who’s breastfed.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Austedo treatment. They may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.
Austedo or Austedo XR can be an effective treatment for chorea that’s related to Huntington’s disease or for tardive dyskinesia. Some people taking Austedo may experience side effects. But in most cases, side effects from this medication are mild.
If you have questions about side effects that Austedo may cause, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Here are some examples of questions that you may want to ask:
- How should I treat side effects if I experience any?
- Based on my condition, what side effects am I most likely to experience?
- If I experience side effects from Austedo, what other treatment options are available for my condition?
- What can I do to lower my risk for side effects with this drug?
Q:
Could other medications that I take raise my risk for certain side effects from Austedo?
AnonymousA:
Yes, some drugs may increase your risk for certain side effects from Austedo. For example, some drugs used for depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or bupropion) may cause the level of Austedo to build up in your body. This could raise your risk for side effects.
If you’re taking medication for depression, talk with your doctor before using Austedo. They may prescribe a lower dose of Austedo for you.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.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.