Ingrezza (valbenazine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat tardive dyskinesia and chorea caused by Huntington’s disease. Ingrezza can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include dizziness, sleepiness, and parkinsonism.

Ingrezza is used in adults to treat:

The active ingredient in Ingrezza is valbenazine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a capsule you swallow.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Ingrezza can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Ingrezza treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ingrezza in studies. Not everyone who takes Ingrezza will experience these side effects.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Mild side effects were commonly reported in Ingrezza studies. These included:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Ingrezza unless your doctor recommends it.

Ingrezza may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Serious side effects are rare but have been reported with Ingrezza. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ingrezza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* In studies of Ingrezza, NMS was not a reported side effect. But it has been reported after the drug became available on the market.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ingrezza, visit MedWatch.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ingrezza’s side effects.

Can Ingrezza cause anxiety?

Yes. While it wasn’t common, anxiety was reported in Ingrezza studies. Talk with your doctor if you experience anxiety during your treatment with this medication. They can suggest ways to help manage it or suggest other treatment options for your tardive dyskinesia or chorea caused by Huntington’s disease.

Will I experience side effects if I stop taking Ingrezza?

If you take Ingrezza and stop abruptly, you probably won’t experience side effects. Withdrawal symptoms* weren’t reported in the drug’s studies. But you should talk with your doctor before you stop taking this drug, as it’s unknown whether this will make chorea or tardive dyskinesia worse.

Talk with your doctor about alternative treatments if you no longer want to take Ingrezza.

* Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.

Learn more about some of the side effects Ingrezza may cause.

Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease

Ingrezza has a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down. It may lead to mood changes, such as depression, and can also cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Ingrezza and similar drugs may worsen such symptoms. (Doctors may prescribe Ingrezza to treat chorea caused by Huntington’s disease.)

Studies of Ingrezza reported depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors as side effects, though they were rare.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • feelings of hopelessness or sadness
  • low energy
  • difficulty sleeping

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts or actions include:

  • frequently wishing life would end
  • avoiding other people
  • giving away possessions or drafting a will

What might help

Before starting treatment with Ingrezza, let your doctor know if you have any mental health conditions. Also let them know if you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts or engaged in suicidal actions. This will help your doctor find out whether Ingrezza is the right treatment option for you.

Your doctor will monitor you for new or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior while you’re taking Ingrezza. They may have you stop taking it if you experience either of these conditions.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

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.

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Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism was a rare but serious side effect reported in Ingrezza studies. It’s most likely to occur within the first 2 weeks of starting treatment with the drug or having your dose increased. Symptoms of parkinsonism may include:

What might help

Call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking Ingrezza at a lower dosage or if you should switch to a different treatment. Parkinsonism symptoms should go away when you stop taking Ingrezza, but talk with your doctor before you quit taking it.

If you’re taking Ingrezza for chorea caused by Huntington’s disease, stiff muscles may be a symptom of the disease worsening. If you develop muscle stiffness, contact your doctor. They’ll determine whether this effect is caused by your condition or the drug. Your doctor can then suggest appropriate treatment options.

Sleepiness

Sleepiness was one of the most common side effects reported in Ingrezza studies. This included reports of fatigue (low energy) and sedation (feeling drowsy and less alert). Due to this risk, you should not drive or operate machinery until you know how Ingrezza affects you.

What might help

Taking Ingrezza before you go to sleep may help with this side effect. If the sleepiness becomes bothersome or interferes with your daily activities, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to recommend ways to help manage this side effect.

Long QT syndrome

In studies, Ingrezza caused long QT syndrome. This is when the heart takes longer than usual to relax and contract. This is more likely to occur if you’re taking certain other medications in addition to Ingrezza. Talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any other drugs.

Symptoms of long QT syndrome may include:

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They may do tests to identify the cause of your symptoms. If they determine you have long QT syndrome, they may have you stop taking Ingrezza.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Ingrezza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions were reported in the drug’s studies, but they were rare. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • hives (itchy welts)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

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. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Ingrezza, they’ll advise whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble 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 Ingrezza, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Ingrezza treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Ingrezza affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Ingrezza.

Boxed warning: Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease

Ingrezza has a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down. It may lead to mood changes, such as depression, and can also cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Ingrezza and similar drugs may worsen such symptoms. (Doctors may prescribe Ingrezza to treat chorea caused by Huntington’s disease.)

To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Ingrezza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Ingrezza. Factors to consider include those described below.

Congenital long QT syndrome. Due to the risk of long QT syndrome, doctors usually won’t prescribe Ingrezza if you have long QT syndrome that was present at birth.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). NMS is a possible side effect of Ingrezza. If you develop NMS during Ingrezza treatment, your doctor will have you stop the drug and treat this side effect. Note that resuming Ingrezza treatment may cause NMS to occur again. In this case, your doctor will monitor you closely for NMS if you resume Ingrezza treatment.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ingrezza or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Alcohol and Ingrezza

It’s not known how alcohol interacts with Ingrezza. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to drink any while taking this medication.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Ingrezza

It’s not known if Ingrezza is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Doctors recommend not breastfeeding while taking Ingrezza or for 5 days after your last dose. Ingrezza may cause side effects in a child who’s breastfed.

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. They’ll recommend the best treatment options.

The most common side effects of Ingrezza are mild. There are a few serious side effects, but they’re rare. If you have questions about side effects this drug can cause, talk with your doctor. A few examples to help get you started include:

  • Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start treatment?
  • Will a higher dose of Ingrezza cause more side effects?
  • What do I do if I experience side effects?
  • How do the side effects of Ingrezza compare with other drugs used to treat my condition?

To learn more about Ingrezza, 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.