What condition is Ingrezza used to treat?
Ingrezza (valbenazine) capsules and Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules are approved for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia and for adults with chorea associated with Huntington's disease (HD), two types of involuntary movement disorders. Ingrezza is a highly selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is characterized by abnormal and repetitive movements of the trunk, extremities or face.
- TD is caused by dopamine (a chemical messenger) blockade in the brain which can occur with longer-term antipsychotic treatment. Ingrezza was the first product approved for adults with TD.
- TD can cause repetitive movements in your body that you cannot control. These areas can include your arms, hands, legs, feet, face, lips, eyes or tongue. The face is the most common area where these uncontrollable movements occur.
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary disorder which causes cells in the brain to die. This leads to trouble with movement, thinking and emotions.
- Most people also have chorea associated with Huntington's disease, a movement disorder that results in irregular and unpredictable movements.
- Chorea can affect walking, swallowing and speech. Symptoms generally appear in people between 30 to 50 years of age and worsen over a 10 to 25 year period.
- Ingrezza does not treat other symptoms of Huntington’s disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions.
How do you take Ingrezza or Ingrezza Sprinkle?
Ingrezza and Ingrezza Sprinkle is a once daily oral medicine you take by mouth. Ingrezza and Ingrezza Sprinkle come as 40 mg, 60 mg and 80 mg capsules. It can be taken with or without food. Take Ingrezza exactly when your doctor tells you to take it.
If you take Ingrezza Sprinkle:
- Open the capsule and sprinkle the granules over a small amount (1 tablespoonful) of soft food such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding and then swallow the soft food right away. Do not crush or chew Ingrezza Sprinkle or the granules inside the capsule. Do not add the granules to milk or water.
- After eating all of the soft food mixture that contains the medicine, drink an 8 ounces glass of water (240 mL) to make sure that all of the medicine is swallowed.
- If necessary, the mixture can be stored for up to 2 hours at room temperature. Discard any unused portion after 2 hours.
- You may also swallow the Ingrezza Sprinkle capsule whole with water (with or without food) if you prefer.
Your pharmacist or doctor can provide you with detailed written instructions on how to take Ingrezza Sprinkle. If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist.
Your doctor will tell you how much Ingrezza or Ingrezza Sprinkle to take and when to take it. Your dose will be slowly increased to help lessen side effects and evaluate your response. Do not stop taking this medicine without first speaking to your doctor.
You may need a lower dose if you have liver disease or take certain medications.
It is not known if Ingrezza is safe and effective for use in children.
Related: Ingrezza dosing (in more detail)
Related questions
- How much does Ingrezza cost and will insurance cover it?
- Which pharmacies can dispense Ingrezza?
- How long does it take for Ingrezza to work?
Is Ingrezza an antipsychotic agent?
No, Ingrezza is not an antipsychotic agent. It is a VMAT2 inhibitor (vesicular monoamine transporter-2 inhibitor).
It works by blocking VMAT2 to slow the uptake of a brain chemical known as dopamine. This helps to reduce the unwanted body movements of tardive dyskinesia (TD) caused by long-term use of antipsychotics and of chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
Antipsychotics medicines are often use to treat bipolar disorder, depression or schizophrenia.
- Their main action is on dopamine receptors, reducing levels of excess dopamine, or they may affect levels of other neurotransmitters.
- Ingrezza is used to treat certain movement disorder side effects (tardive dyskinesia) that may occur if you have been using antipsychotics for at least 3 months.
This is not all the information you need to know about Ingrezza (valbenazine) for safe and effective use. Review the full Ingrezza information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Ingrezza [product information]. Neurocrine. San Diego, CA. Updated April 2024. Accessed Oct 23, 2024. https://www.neurocrine.com/documents/3/INGREZZA-Full-Prescribing-Information_PI_Approved.pdf
- Ingrezza FDA Approval History. Drugs.com. May 16, 2024 at https://www.drugs.com/history/ingrezza.html
- Neurocrine Biosciences Announces U.S. FDA Approval of Ingrezza Sprinkle (valbenazine) Capsules. New Drugs. Drugs.com. Accessed May 16, 2024 at https://www.drugs.com/newdrugs/neurocrine-biosciences-announces-u-s-fda-approval-ingrezza-sprinkle-valbenazine-capsules-6263.html
Read next
Does Ingrezza cause weight gain?
Weight gain has been reported in a 6-week clinical study with Ingrezza, but it is not a common side effect. Of 151 patients taking either the 40 mg/day or 80 mg/day dose, 3 patients had weight gain (2%) compared to zero patients (0%) in the placebo (inactive treatment) group. Continue reading
Ingrezza mechanism of action: How does it work?
Experts aren’t sure exactly how Ingrezza works but suggest it blocks a protein transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), which is responsible for regulating the uptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. The abnormal functioning of dopamine is thought to be a cause of tardive dyskinesia (TD) and chorea associated with Huntington's disease (HD). By blocking VMAT2, Ingrezza reduces the uptake of dopamine, causing a decrease in symptoms of TD and chorea.
Continue reading
Can Ingrezza capsules be opened?
Ingrezza Sprinkle capsules can be opened and sprinkled on soft food, such as applesauce, yogurt or pudding before swallowing. Do not chew the granules before swallowing. If you use the regular Ingrezza capsule that is swallowed and not sprinkled, do not open, cut, crush or split the capsule without your doctor’s advice. Continue reading
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