Who Manufactures Austedo?
Austedo is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals [1][2]. Teva Pharmaceuticals is a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Israel, specializing in generic and specialty medicines [1].
What Is Austedo Used For?
Austedo is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease and tardive dyskinesia [2][3]. Chorea is characterized by involuntary, erratic body movements, while tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary movements, often of the face, tongue, lips, or jaw [3].
How Does Austedo Work?
Austedo contains two active ingredients: deutetrabenazine and valbenazine [2][4]. Deutetrabenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor [2]. VMAT2 is a protein that helps regulate the storage and release of monoamine neurotransmitters, such as dopamine [2][5]. By inhibiting VMAT2, deutetrabenazine reduces the amount of dopamine released in the brain, which can help control involuntary movements [2][5]. Valbenazine is also a VMAT2 inhibitor [4].
When Did Austedo Become Available?
Deutetrabenazine, the active ingredient in Austedo, received FDA approval in April 2017 [2]. Valbenazine, also an active ingredient, was approved later [4].
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Austedo?
Common side effects reported with Austedo include sleepiness, fatigue, dry mouth, constipation, and dizziness [2]. Serious side effects can include depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and parkinsonism (symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement) [2][3]. It is important for patients to discuss any side effects with their healthcare provider [3].
What Is the Patent Status for Austedo?
Information regarding the patent status of Austedo and its active ingredients can be found on DrugPatentWatch.com [6]. Patents are crucial for pharmaceutical companies as they grant exclusive rights to market a drug for a certain period, impacting competition from generic or biosimilar manufacturers [7].
How Does Austedo Compare to Other Treatments?
Other medications are available for managing chorea and tardive dyskinesia. For example, other VMAT2 inhibitors exist, and their efficacy and side effect profiles may differ [5]. Comparisons between Austedo and other treatment options would depend on the specific condition being treated and individual patient factors.
What Are the Risks Associated with Austedo?
Beyond the side effects mentioned, Austedo carries a boxed warning regarding the risk of depression and suicidal ideation or behavior [2]. Patients with Huntington's disease are particularly at risk [3]. It is essential for healthcare providers to monitor patients for changes in mood and behavior [2][3].
Are There Generic Versions of Austedo Available?
The availability of generic versions of a medication typically depends on patent expiry and regulatory approval [7]. Information on generic availability and patent expirations for Austedo can be accessed through resources like DrugPatentWatch.com [6].
Sources:
[1] https://www.teva.co.il/
[2] https://www.drugs.com/austedo.html
[3] https://www.austedo.com/
[4] https://www.valbenazine.com/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6503966/
[6] https://drugpatentwatch.com/
[7] https://www.fda.gov/