Two medicines, side by side
Deutetrabenazine vs tetrabenazine
Deutetrabenazine has no indication this site maps; tetrabenazine has no indication this site maps. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of deutetrabenazine since 2017 and of tetrabenazine since 2008. Pharmacies paid $249.32 per unit (Austedo XR titr(12-18-24-30 mg)) and $0.702 per tetrabenazine 12.5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the deutetrabenazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 28, 2025); the tetrabenazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 29, 2019).
Highlights of the deutetrabenazine record
Deutetrabenazine (Austedo) · label of February 28, 2025
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY IN PATIENTS WITH HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington’s disease. Anyone considering the use of AUSTEDO XR or AUSTEDO must balance the risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for treatment of chorea. Closely monitor patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
Used for
From the label: indicationsAUSTEDO XR ® and AUSTEDO ® are indicated in adults for the treatment of: chorea associated with Huntington’s disease [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] tardive dyskinesia [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )] AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO are vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors indicated in adults for the treatment of: Chorea associated with Huntington’s disease ( 1 ) Tardive dyskinesia
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 3, 2017
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $249.32 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the tetrabenazine record
Tetrabenazine (Xenazine) · label of November 29, 2019
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDALITY Tetrabenazine tablets can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality) in patients with Huntington's disease. Anyone considering the use of tetrabenazine tablets must balance the risks of depression and suicidality with the clinical need for control of chorea. Close observation of patients for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior should accompany therapy.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTetrabenazine tablets are indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease. Tetrabenazine tablets are a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 15, 2008
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.702 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Deutetrabenazine label of February 28, 2025, Tetrabenazine label of November 29, 2019); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do deutetrabenazine and tetrabenazine differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Deutetrabenazine, “The precise mechanism by which deutetrabenazine exerts its effects in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea in patients with Huntington’s disease is unknown but is believed to be related to …”; Tetrabenazine, “The precise mechanism by which tetrabenazine tablets exert its anti-chorea effects is unknown but is believed to be related to its effect as a reversible depletor of monoamines (such as dopamine …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Deutetrabenazine, “The half-life of the active deuterated α-HTBZ, β-HTBZ, and total (α+β)-HTBZ metabolites is approximately 12 hours, 7.5 …”; Tetrabenazine, “The elimination half-life of tetrabenazine in subjects with hepatic impairment was approximately 17.5 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: deutetrabenazine since 2024; tetrabenazine since 2015 (Drugs@FDA).
| Deutetrabenazine | Tetrabenazine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | n/a |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2 Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | The precise mechanism by which deutetrabenazine exerts its effects in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea in patients with Huntington’s disease is unknown but is believed to be related to its effect as a reversible depletor of … | The precise mechanism by which tetrabenazine tablets exert its anti-chorea effects is unknown but is believed to be related to its effect as a reversible depletor of monoamines (such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and histamine) … |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of the active deuterated α-HTBZ, β-HTBZ, and total (α+β)-HTBZ metabolites is approximately 12 hours, 7.5 hours, and 9 to 11 hours, respectively. | The elimination half-life of tetrabenazine in subjects with hepatic impairment was approximately 17.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 3, 2017 | August 15, 2008 |
| First generic approved | December 26, 2024 | August 17, 2015 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 10 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $249.32 per unit (Austedo XR titr(12-18-24-30 mg)) | $0.702 per tablet (Tetrabenazine 12.5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,234 | 7,301 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Deutetrabenazine label, contraindicationsTaking tetrabenazine or valbenazine [see Drug Interactions ( 7.6 )].
Deutetrabenazine label, drug interactionsTetrabenazine or Valbenazine AUSTEDO XR and AUSTEDO are contraindicated in patients currently taking tetrabenazine or valbenazine.
Tetrabenazine label, contraindicationsTaking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or reserpine Taking deutetrabenazine or valbenazine
Tetrabenazine label, drug interactionsDeutetrabenazine or Valbenazine Tetrabenazine tablets are contraindicated in patients currently taking deutetrabenazine or valbenazine.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to deutetrabenazine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions