How do you use the Austedo titration pack?
What is the Austedo starter pack?
The Austedo titration (starter) pack contains tablets with increasing doses over four weeks to help minimize side effects while gradually reaching the dose that manages your symptoms. The purpose of the starter pack is to make it easy to take the correct tablets while the dose changes each week. After completing the starter pack, your doctor will continue adjusting your dose weekly using regular prescription tablets. When your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor will maintain you at this dose.
Austedo Titration Schedule
The Austedo titration pack starts with a dose of 6 mg twice daily in week one. The dose then increases weekly, to 9 mg twice daily in week two, 12 mg twice daily in week three, and 15 mg twice daily in week four. You may need to take a combination of different tablet strengths to make up the dose.
Not all patients will be prescribed the same schedule. Follow the dosing schedules prescribed by your doctor.
Austedo titration pack dose schedule
Austedo standard release tablets are taken twice daily.
|
Morning |
Night |
|
|
Week one |
6mg (6mg tablet) |
6mg (6mg tablet) |
|
Week two |
9mg (9mg tablet) |
9mg (9mg tablet) |
|
Week three |
12mg (12 mg tablet) |
12mg (12mg tablet) |
|
Week four |
15mg (6mg tablet +9mg tablet) |
15mg (6mg tablet +9mg tablet) |
After the Austedo titration pack, your doctor will prescribe tablets to continue increasing your dose weekly based on the reduction of chorea or tardive dyskinesia symptoms and how well you tolerate side effects. The maximum dose is 48 mg per day, taken as 24mg twice daily.
Austedo dose schedule from Week 5 to Week 7
|
Morning |
Night |
|
|
Week five |
18mg (two 9mg tablets) |
18mg (two 9mg tablets) |
|
Week six |
21mg (9mg tablet +12mg tablet) |
21mg (9mg tablet +12mg tablet) |
|
Week seven |
24 mg (two 12mg tablets) |
24 mg (two 12mg tablets) |
Once you reach a dose where your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor will maintain you at this dose.
Not all patients will reach the maximum dose; the doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the patient.
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Austedo XR tablets
The Austedo XR titration pack (starter pack) contains tablets with a step-by-step weekly increase in your dose over four weeks, to minimize side effects.
The Austedo XR titration pack dose starts at 12mg once a day for the first week, then increases in week two to 18mg tablet once daily, week three is 24mg tablet daily, and week four is 30mg tablet once daily.
Not all patients will follow the same schedule. Follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
Austedo XR tablets are an extended-release tablet taken once daily.
Austedo XR titration pack dose schedule
|
Austedo XR |
Once a Day Dose |
|
Week one |
12mg tablet |
|
Week two |
18mg tablet |
|
Week three |
24mg tablet |
|
Week four |
30mg tablet |
After the Austedo XR titration pack, your doctor will prescribe tablets to continue increasing your dose weekly based on reduction of chorea or tardive dyskinesia symptoms and tolerability, up to a maximum recommended dose of 48 mg daily.
Austedo XR dose schedule from Week 5 to Week 7
|
Austedo XR |
Once a Day Dose |
|
Week five |
36mg tablet |
|
Week six |
42mg tablet |
|
Week seven |
48mg tablet |
Once you reach a dose where your symptoms are well controlled, your doctor will maintain you at this dose.
Not all patients will reach the maximum dose; the doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose for the patient.
For more dosing information, see the Austedo Dosage page
Austedo Side effects
The most common Austedo side effects are sleepiness, diarrhea, dry mouth, fatigue, insomnia, and nasopharyngitis (common cold symptoms).
In patients being treated for Huntington’s disease, there is an increased risk of depression, and suicidal thoughts and behavior (suicidality). It is important to monitor for signs of new or worsening depression, suicidality, or unusual changes in behavior.
References
Austedo XR Start & Stay (Accessed August 7, 2025) brochure https://www.austedohcp.com/globalassets/austedohcp/td/resourcespage/aus-47497-start-and-stay-austedo-xr---pss-digital-brochure.pdf
Austedo XR Prescribing Accessed August 7, 2025) Information https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/208082s018,216354s008lbl.pdf
Read next
Austedo vs Xenazine: How do they compare?
Deutetrabenazine (Austedo, Austedo XR) and tetrabenazine (Xenazine) primarily differ in their uses, chemical structure, pharmacokinetics and cost. The addition of deuterium (2H) to Austedo lengthens the duration of action and may reduce some side effects. Overall, the drugs are fairly similar with regards to drug class, warnings, and drug interactions.
Continue reading
How long does it take for Austedo to work?
Austedo (deutetrabenazine) starts working within two weeks, according to results of phase III clinical trials, which were conducted in patients with chorea associated with Huntington’s disease and tardive dyskinesia. Continue reading
What condition is Austedo used to treat?
Austedo (deutetrabenazine) is an oral prescription medication approved to treat Huntington’s chorea and tardive dyskinesia (TD). Austedo is classified as a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. VMAT2 a protein that controls transfer of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) between nerves in the brain between. These neurotransmitters help to control normal body movement or motor function. Continue reading
See also:
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Drug information
- Austedo Information for Consumers
- Austedo prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Austedo (detailed)
- Austedo user reviews (12)
Related support groups
- Austedo (9 questions, 14 members)
- Tardive Dyskinesia (40 questions, 174 members)
- Huntington's Disease (18 questions, 14 members)