You should not use Austedo if you have liver disease, untreated or uncontrolled depression, or if you have thoughts about suicide.
Do not use this medicine if you have taken reserpine (Serpalan, Renese-R) in the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, rasagiline, selegiline, and others) in the past 14 days.
Stay alert to changes in your mood, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using Austedo.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Austedo if you are allergic to deutetrabenazine, or if you have:
untreated or uncontrolled depression;
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself;
liver disease; or
if you have recently taken tetrabenazine (Xenazine) or valbenazine (Ingrezza).
Do not use Austedo if you have taken reserpine (Serpalan, Renese-R) in the past 20 days, or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure Austedo is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
depression, anxiety, nervousness, or agitation;
mental illness or psychosis;
suicidal thoughts or actions;
breast cancer;
a heart rhythm disorder;
long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood).
People with Huntington's disease may have a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Taking Austedo may further increase this risk. However, the benefits of taking this medicine (improvement in daily living) may outweigh any suicidal risks.
Taking deutetrabenazine may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease (resting tremor, stiff muscles, slow movements, difficulty maintaining balance and walking). Ask your doctor about your risk.
Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
It is not known whether deutetrabenazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using deutetrabenazine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Austedo is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Austedo?
Take Austedo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
If you are switching from a similar medicine called tetrabenazine (Xenazine), take your first dose of deutetrabenazine one day after your last dose of tetrabenazine.
Austedo is usually taken 1 or 2 times per day with food and a whole glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, or break a tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. Tell your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole.
Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Do not stop taking this medicine without first asking your doctor. If you stop taking Austedo for longer than 1 week, do not start taking it again without your doctor's advice.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
