How should I take Austedo?
Austedo should be taken exactly as recommended by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. In some cases, your doctor might adjust your dose. Do not use this drug in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
If you are changing to a similar drug called tetrabenazine (Xenazine), take your first dose of deutetrabenazine one day after your last dose of tetrabenazine. Austedo is usually consumed 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. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble swallowing the tablet whole. In some cases, your doctor may observe the activities of your heart using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Do not stop taking this drug 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.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Huntington Disease:
- First Dose: 6 mg orally once a day
- Maintenance Dose: May increase dose in increments of 6 mg/day at weekly intervals.
- Maximum Dose: 48 mg/day
Instructions
- Measure the dose for each patient based on chorea reduction and tolerability.
- Administer total daily dosages of 12 mg or more in 2 divided doses.
- May stop this medication without tapering.
- Re-titrate dose when resuming this drug following treatment interruption of greater than 1 week; resume treatment at the previous maintenance dose without titration if treatment interruption is less than 1 week.
Use: Treatment of chorea caused by Huntington’s disease.