Two medicines, side by side
Deutetrabenazine vs valbenazine
Deutetrabenazine has no indication this site maps; valbenazine 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 valbenazine since 2017. Pharmacies paid $249.32 per unit (Austedo XR titr(12-18-24-30 mg)) and $283.32 per Ingrezza 80 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, 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 valbenazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 17, 2026).
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 valbenazine record
Valbenazine (Ingrezza) · label of April 17, 2026
DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AND BEHAVIOR IN PATIENTS WITH HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE VMAT2 inhibitors, including INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE, can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients with Huntington’s disease. Anyone considering the use of INGREZZA or INGREZZA SPRINKLE must balance the risks of depression and suicidal ideation and behavior with the clinical need for treatment of chorea.
Used for
From the label: indicationsINGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are indicated for the treatment of adults with: - tardive dyskinesia [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. - chorea associated with Huntington’s disease [see Clinical Studies ( 14.2 )]. INGREZZA and INGREZZA SPRINKLE are vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors indicated for the treatment of adults with: - tardive dyskinesia. ( 1 ) - chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 11, 2017
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $283.32 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Deutetrabenazine label of February 28, 2025, Valbenazine label of April 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do deutetrabenazine and valbenazine 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 …”; Valbenazine, “The mechanism of action of valbenazine for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea in patients with Huntington’s disease is unclear, but is thought to be mediated through the reversible …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: deutetrabenazine since 2024; valbenazine since 2024 (Drugs@FDA).
| Deutetrabenazine | Valbenazine | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 mechanism of action of valbenazine for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea in patients with Huntington’s disease is unclear, but is thought to be mediated through the reversible inhibition of vesicular monoamine transporter |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 3, 2017 | April 11, 2017 |
| First generic approved | December 26, 2024 | April 5, 2024 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $249.32 per unit (Austedo XR titr(12-18-24-30 mg)) | $283.32 per capsule (Ingrezza 80 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | no change |
| 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 | 25,010 |
| 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.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to deutetrabenazine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions