Written By: Sheetal Barbade, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets and AUSTEDO XR® (deutetrabenazine) extended-release tablets, both VMAT2 inhibitors approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD), have demonstrated significant positive impact on patients’ quality of life in real-world clinical settings. Recent data from comprehensive observational studies, including the IMPACT-TD Registry, highlight substantial improvements reported by patients in managing involuntary movements and enhancing activities of daily living.
AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR
Developed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, AUSTEDO is a deuterated form of tetrabenazine designed to reduce involuntary movements associated with TD and Huntington’s disease chorea. The extended-release formulation, AUSTEDO XR, offers once-daily dosing, providing greater convenience and potentially improving adherence. Both formulations work by inhibiting vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), regulating dopamine release implicated in abnormal movements.
IMPACT-TD Registry
The IMPACT-TD Registry, a landmark three-year longitudinal phase 4 study, offers robust real-world evidence on the treatment outcomes of adults with tardive dyskinesia (TD) using AUSTEDO® and AUSTEDO XR®. This registry evaluates a diverse patient population that includes individuals with common coexisting psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder (41%), anxiety disorder (37%), depression (26%), and schizophrenia (19%), accurately reflecting a real-world clinical setting.
After three months of treatment, key patient-reported outcomes reveal meaningful improvements across several areas, with 77% of patients reporting better speech and communication, 75% noting improvement in eating, 65% experiencing a positive psychosocial impact, 59% showing gains in daily living activities, and 50% reporting enhanced sleep and reductions in pain. The total motor score on the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) showed a mean decrease of -2.9, representing a notable reduction in involuntary movements consistent with previous pivotal trials.
85% of participants taking AUSTEDO or AUSTEDO XR in combination with mental health medications reported their underlying psychiatric conditions remained stable or improved, as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGIS) scale. These improvements in involuntary movements and daily function were sustained long-term, underscoring the consistent efficacy of AUSTEDO beyond controlled trial settings.
Alongside efficacy, the treatments have demonstrated a favorable safety profile. Most patients tolerated therapy well with minimal worsening of underlying psychiatric conditions. The adherence benefits with AUSTEDO XR’s once-daily dosing have also contributed to increased patient satisfaction and continuity of care.
Stacy Finkbeiner, Senior Medical Director, Movement Disorders & Psychiatry at Teva, stated that tardive dyskinesia’s relentless involuntary movements can severely impact patients’ quality of life and independence. She emphasized that real-world data are critical to guiding innovations that improve the daily lives of those affected. These findings highlight how AUSTEDO® and AUSTEDO XR® not only reduce symptoms of tardive dyskinesia but also maintain mental health, aligning with Teva’s mission to enhance patient well-being.
TD severely impacts patients’ psychosocial functioning and independence. AUSTEDO and AUSTEDO XR have been shown to mitigate these burdens by alleviating choreiform movements that interfere with motor skills. The real-world data affirm that treatment leads to better patient autonomy, enabling more comfortable social interactions and daily activities, which directly translate into enhanced quality of life.
References
AUSTEDO® (deutetrabenazine) tablets and AUSTEDO XR® (deutetrabenazine) extended-release tablets Demonstrate Positive Real-world Impact, with Patients Reporting Improvement in Involuntary Movements and Activities of Daily Living, 07 November 2025, Teva Pharmaceuticals, https://ir.tevapharm.com/news-and-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2025/AUSTEDO-deutetrabenazine-tablets-and-AUSTEDO-XR-deutetrabenazine-extended-release-tablets-Demonstrate-Positive-Real-world-Impact-with-Patients-Reporting-Improvement-in-Involuntary-Movements-and-Activities-of-Daily-Living/default.aspx