What is Valbenazine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Valbenazine is a prescription medication that helps control unwanted, repetitive movements called tardive dyskinesia. If you've been dealing with involuntary muscle movements in your face, tongue, or other parts of your body, this medicine might offer the relief you've been seeking.

These movements often develop as a side effect from certain psychiatric medications, and valbenazine works by gently rebalancing brain chemicals that control muscle movement. It's specifically designed to help people regain control over their bodies and feel more comfortable in their daily lives.

What is Valbenazine?

Valbenazine is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs called VMAT2 inhibitors. It works by blocking a specific protein in your brain that packages dopamine, a chemical messenger that controls movement.

Think of it as a gentle brake system for overactive movement signals in your brain. By reducing the amount of dopamine available in certain brain areas, valbenazine helps calm down the excessive nerve activity that causes involuntary movements.

The medication comes in capsule form and is taken by mouth once daily. It's specifically FDA-approved for treating tardive dyskinesia in adults, making it a targeted treatment option for this challenging condition.

What is Valbenazine Used For?

Valbenazine is primarily prescribed to treat tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes involuntary, repetitive movements. These movements typically affect your face, tongue, lips, and sometimes your arms, legs, or torso.

Tardive dyskinesia usually develops after taking certain psychiatric medications for months or years. The movements can include lip smacking, tongue protrusion, facial grimacing, or repetitive finger movements that you can't control.

This condition can be both physically uncomfortable and emotionally distressing, affecting your confidence in social situations. Valbenazine helps reduce these movements, allowing you to feel more in control of your body and more comfortable in your daily activities.

How Does Valbenazine Work?

Valbenazine works by targeting a specific protein called VMAT2 in your brain. This protein is responsible for packaging dopamine into storage vesicles, which are like tiny containers that hold brain chemicals.

When valbenazine blocks VMAT2, it reduces the amount of dopamine available in certain brain regions. This helps rebalance the brain chemistry that got disrupted by previous medications, essentially calming down the overactive signals that cause involuntary movements.

The medication is considered moderately strong and works gradually over time. You might not notice immediate changes, but most people begin to see improvement in their movements within a few weeks of starting treatment.

How Should I Take Valbenazine?

Take valbenazine exactly as your doctor prescribes, usually once daily with or without food. You can take it with water, milk, or juice - whatever feels most comfortable for you.

Swallow the capsules whole without opening, crushing, or chewing them. The medication is designed to release slowly in your system, so breaking the capsule can interfere with how it works.

You don't need to time your dose around meals, but taking it at the same time each day helps maintain steady levels in your body. Many people find it easier to remember when they link it to a daily routine like breakfast or bedtime.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, talk to your doctor about options. They might be able to suggest techniques or alternatives that work better for you.

How Long Should I Take Valbenazine For?

The length of valbenazine treatment varies from person to person and depends on how well you respond to the medication. Some people need it for several months, while others may take it for years.

Your doctor will typically start you on a lower dose and gradually increase it over several weeks. This helps your body adjust to the medication and allows your doctor to find the most effective dose with the fewest side effects.

Most people begin to notice improvements in their involuntary movements within 4 to 6 weeks of starting treatment. However, it can take up to 3 months to experience the full benefits of the medication.

Never stop taking valbenazine suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Stopping abruptly can cause your symptoms to return or worsen, so your doctor will likely recommend gradually reducing your dose when it's time to discontinue the medication.

What Are the Side Effects of Valbenazine?

Like all medications, valbenazine can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most side effects are mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Here are the most common side effects you might experience:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Blurred vision

These effects typically occur during the first few weeks of treatment and often become less noticeable as your body adapts. Taking the medication with food can help reduce stomach upset.

Some people may experience less common but more concerning side effects that require medical attention:

• Severe drowsiness that interferes with daily activities
• Mood changes or depression
• Difficulty concentrating
• Balance problems or increased fall risk
• Unusual muscle stiffness or tremors

Contact your doctor if you experience any of these effects, especially if they persist or worsen over time.

Rare but serious side effects can include prolonged QT interval (heart rhythm changes), severe allergic reactions, or worsening of existing movement disorders. While these are uncommon, it's important to be aware of them and seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe skin reactions.

Who Should Not Take Valbenazine?

Valbenazine isn't suitable for everyone, and your doctor will carefully evaluate whether it's safe for you. Some people should avoid this medication due to potential health risks.

You should not take valbenazine if you're allergic to the medication or any of its ingredients. Signs of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

People with certain heart conditions may need to avoid valbenazine or require special monitoring:

• Long QT syndrome or other heart rhythm disorders
• Recent heart attack or unstable heart disease
• Severe heart failure
• Family history of sudden cardiac death

Your doctor will likely order an electrocardiogram (ECG) before starting treatment to check your heart rhythm.

Valbenazine may not be appropriate if you have severe liver or kidney disease, as these organs help process the medication. Your doctor might need to adjust your dose or choose a different treatment option.

If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. The safety of valbenazine during pregnancy and breastfeeding hasn't been fully established.

Valbenazine Brand Name

Valbenazine is available under the brand name Ingrezza. This is the only brand name version currently available in the United States.

Ingrezza comes in capsules of different strengths: 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg. The capsules are distinctively colored to help you identify the correct dose your doctor has prescribed.

Currently, there are no generic versions of valbenazine available, which means Ingrezza is the only form of this medication you can get. This may affect the cost and insurance coverage, so it's worth discussing financial assistance options with your doctor or pharmacist.

Valbenazine Alternatives

If valbenazine isn't right for you, several alternative treatments are available for tardive dyskinesia. Your doctor can help you explore these options based on your specific situation.

Deutetrabenazine (Austedo) is another VMAT2 inhibitor that works similarly to valbenazine. It's also FDA-approved for tardive dyskinesia and may be a good alternative if you can't tolerate valbenazine or need twice-daily dosing.

Some doctors may consider off-label treatments for tardive dyskinesia, including:

• Clonazepam (a benzodiazepine that can help with muscle movements)
• Amantadine (originally a Parkinson's medication)
• Botulinum toxin injections for localized movements
• Vitamin E (though evidence is limited)

In some cases, adjusting or switching the medication that originally caused tardive dyskinesia might help, though this needs to be done very carefully with your psychiatrist's guidance.

The best alternative depends on your individual symptoms, medical history, and how well you've responded to previous treatments. Your doctor will work with you to find the most suitable option.

Is Valbenazine Better Than Deutetrabenazine?

Both valbenazine and deutetrabenazine are effective treatments for tardive dyskinesia, but they have some differences that might make one more suitable for you than the other.

Valbenazine offers the convenience of once-daily dosing, which many people find easier to remember and stick with. Deutetrabenazine typically requires twice-daily dosing, which can be more challenging to maintain consistently.

In terms of effectiveness, both medications show similar results in reducing involuntary movements. Clinical studies suggest that both can significantly improve tardive dyskinesia symptoms, with most people experiencing noticeable improvement within 4 to 6 weeks.

The side effect profiles are quite similar, with both medications potentially causing drowsiness, nausea, and fatigue. However, some people may tolerate one better than the other due to individual differences in how their bodies process these medications.

Your doctor will consider factors like your daily routine, other medications you're taking, kidney function, and personal preferences when deciding which medication might work best for you. There's no universal "better" choice - it depends on your individual circumstances.