Don’t let the high cost of brand specialty VMAT2 inhibitor therapy disrupt your treatment. We help eligible patients access Austedo (deutetrabenazine) for as little as $69.95 per month through the manufacturer’s Patient Assistance Program.
The Austedo Prescription Assistance Program is a manufacturer-sponsored initiative that provides Austedo at little or no medication cost to qualifying patients based on income and insurance status. The program is designed for Huntington’s chorea and tardive dyskinesia patients who are uninsured or underinsured, as well as Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Navigating the program on your own means dealing with eligibility verification, neurology/psychiatry coordination, prior-authorization documentation, specialty pharmacy logistics, and renewal deadlines.
AffordMyPrescriptions eliminates that burden. For a flat $69.95 per month, our Patient Advocates handle every step of your enrollment, from initial application through ongoing refill coordination and re-certification.
| Pharmacy(With Coupon) | PrIce (30-Day)* | You Save W/ Us |
|---|---|---|
| Walgreens | ~$11,200 | Save ~$11,130/mo |
| CVS Pharmacy | ~$11,500 | Save ~$11,430/mo |
| Walmart | ~$9,500 | Save ~$9,430/mo |
| Costco | ~$9,300 | Save ~$9,230/mo |
Specialty Pharmacy | ~$9,800 | Save ~$9,730/mo |
*Just a heads-up — retail prices are estimates based on public data and vary by pharmacy. AffordMyPrescriptions Advocacy Service bypasses this by using drug manufacturer programs to secure your medication directly at no cost or retail price.
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The Patient Assistance Program is free to apply for and provides Austedo at no medication cost if approved. Our $69.95/month service covers full advocacy.
Complete a simple eligibility form so our team can determine if you may qualify for medication assistance programs.
Our specialists help gather documentation, complete applications, and coordinate with program providers.
Once approved, you may receive your medication through the assistance program while we help manage ongoing paperwork and renewals.
Many patients try discount cards first. Here’s why the Patient Assistance Program through AffordMyPrescriptions is the better long-term solution for Austedo:
Still $9,000–$11,500 per month even with the best discount
Eligibility is generally determined by annual household income and insurance status. Most programs follow guidelines that include limits of up to $40,000 for individuals, $60,000 for couples, and $100,000 for larger families. Because requirements vary by program and household, we encourage you to contact AffordMyPrescriptions directly so we can review your specific situation and determine if you qualify for Austedo assistance.
Not sure if you qualify? Our pre-qualification check is completely free. If we can’t help, you won’t be charged.
Austedo (deutetrabenazine) is a VMAT2 inhibitor used to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease and tardive dyskinesia. The deuterated structure provides a longer half-life and more stable plasma levels than its parent compound (tetrabenazine), allowing twice-daily dosing with fewer peak/trough side effects. Austedo XR is the once-daily extended-release version.
How Austedo Works:
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) is a protein that loads monoamines like dopamine into synaptic vesicles for release, a process that is dysregulated in movement disorders. Deutetrabenazine reversibly inhibits VMAT2, depleting presynaptic dopamine and reducing its release at the synapse to calm involuntary movements in Huntington’s chorea and tardive dyskinesia. Because of its deuterium-substituted structure, it metabolizes slower than tetrabenazine. This leads to a longer half-life, more stable plasma levels, and a better side-effect profile with less sedation, depression, and Parkinsonism.
Form and use:
Austedo immediate-release is started at 6 mg twice daily and titrated weekly in 6 mg/day increments based on tolerability, up to a maximum of 48 mg/day, and must be taken with food. There is also an Austedo XR version that offers once-daily equivalent dosing. Dose adjustments are required for CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Additionally, a dose reduction is necessary if the patient is concurrently taking strong CYP2D6 inhibitors such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, or quinidine.
Generic availability:
As of 2026, there is no generic version of Austedo available in the United States. Valbenazine (Ingrezza) is another VMAT2 inhibitor option used specifically for tardive dyskinesia. For Huntington’s chorea, generic tetrabenazine is available at a substantially lower cost, though it requires three-times-daily dosing and causes more depression and sedation. Atypical antipsychotics are also sometimes used off-label to manage chorea.
Warnings:
Austedo carries a Boxed Warning for depression and suicidality in patients with Huntington’s disease, and it is entirely contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment. It also carries warnings for QTc prolongation, meaning it should be avoided in patients with congenital long QT or those taking other QT-prolonging drugs. Other potential risks include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, akathisia, parkinsonism, and sedation. Finally, concurrent use of MAOIs or reserpine is strictly contraindicated.
Austedo costs approximately $9,000–$11,500 per 30-day supply. Through AffordMyPrescriptions, qualifying patients receive Austedo at no medication cost — our $69.95 monthly fee covers full advocacy and program management. |
Both inhibit VMAT2. Tetrabenazine (generic Xenazine) is dosed 3 times daily, has shorter half-life, and is associated with more depression, more sedation, and more Parkinsonism. Austedo (deutetrabenazine) has deuterium atoms replacing hydrogens, slowing CYP2D6 metabolism — resulting in longer half-life, twice-daily dosing, and a more favorable side-effect profile. Austedo XR offers once-daily dosing. For most patients, Austedo is better tolerated; for cost-sensitive patients, generic tetrabenazine may be a reasonable optionYes, clinically. The FDA approves biosimilars only after demonstrating no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product (Actemra). Tofidence and Tyenne are FDA-approved tocilizumab biosimilars with the same indications and similar dosing, at substantially lower cost. Most rheumatologists are comfortable prescribing tocilizumab biosimilars.
Both are VMAT2 inhibitors for tardive dyskinesia. Austedo (deutetrabenazine) — twice-daily (or Austedo XR once daily); requires titration; approved for both Huntington’s chorea AND tardive dyskinesia. Ingrezza (valbenazine) — once-daily, simpler dose-finding; approved for tardive dyskinesia only (and chorea in Huntington’s). Both are effective; choice depends on insurance coverage, dosing preferences, and tolerability. Both are expensive without assistance.
Yes. VMAT2 inhibitors (especially in Huntington’s disease, where depression is common at baseline) can worsen depression and may increase suicidality. Your prescriber should assess your mood at baseline and periodically. Tell your prescriber immediately about any new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, or significant changes in mood.
Yes. Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine, bupropion, quinidine) raise deutetrabenazine levels and require dose reduction. MAOIs are contraindicated (and require 14-day washout). Reserpine is contraindicated. Other QT-prolonging drugs should be avoided where possible. Tell every prescriber and pharmacist about Austedo.
Yes. Medicare Part D beneficiaries can typically qualify, especially if you face specialty-tier copays. The manufacturer’s commercial copay savings program is reserved for commercially insured patients only — but the underlying PAP supports Medicare patients who meet income criteria.
If denied, we explore alternatives — switching to generic tetrabenazine (much cheaper, but with more side effects), Ingrezza for tardive dyskinesia (with its own PAP), the manufacturer’s copay program for commercially insured patients, or independent foundations such as the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, PAN Foundation, or HealthWell Foundation. If we cannot find a path, you won’t be charged our service fee.
If you are struggling with the high cost of Austedo, our team may be able to help you access assistance programs designed to make brand specialty VMAT2 inhibitor therapy affordable. Check your eligibility today.
Start free by filling out a simple online form.
Our specialist will contact you for a quick welcome call.
Our team handles everything, so you can focus on your health.