Real-world data show INGREZZA outperforms AUSTEDO XR in treatment persistence for tardive dyskinesia, with lower switching rates and longer therapy continuation.
Written By: Anuja Badgujar, BDS
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Neurocrine Biosciences has presented new real-world data showing that adult patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) treated with INGREZZA demonstrate higher treatment persistence compared to those receiving AUSTEDO XR. The findings, shared at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy 2026 Annual Meeting, are based on a retrospective claims analysis directly comparing persistence between the two therapies in matched patient cohorts.
Matched Analysis Shows Statistically Significant Advantage
The study evaluated 2,988 adult patients with TD, evenly divided between treatment groups using propensity score matching to ensure balanced baseline characteristics. Over a six-month follow-up period, treatment persistence defined as remaining on therapy without discontinuation or switching was significantly higher in the INGREZZA cohort (55.6%) compared to AUSTEDO XR (48.1%). Patients receiving INGREZZA were also less likely to switch therapies (7.7% vs. 11.2%), and the median time to discontinuation or switch was not reached for INGREZZA (>180 days), compared to 129 days for AUSTEDO XR.
Expert Perspectives Emphasize Clinical Relevance
Sanjay Keswani, Chief Medical Officer at Neurocrine Biosciences, stated that treatment discontinuation is common in psychiatric populations and may lead to recurrence of TD symptoms, increased disease burden, and reduced quality of life. He noted that this first real-world comparison of persistence between INGREZZA and AUSTEDO XR provides clinically relevant evidence to support treatment decision-making.
Mercedes Perez-Rodriguez of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai added that claims-based analyses offer important insights into treatment patterns, emphasizing that sustained therapy is essential for managing TD symptoms and improving patient outcomes.
Clinical Data Reinforce Real-World Findings
These findings are supported by prior clinical evidence, including results from the Phase 4 KINECT-PRO study, where treatment with INGREZZA improved TD severity and patient-reported outcomes across physical, social, and emotional domains. In that study, 57.8% of patients who continued therapy achieved symptomatic remission at 24 weeks, defined by minimal or no involuntary movements based on AIMS scoring criteria.
Disease Context and Mechanism of Action
Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and is commonly associated with prolonged use of antipsychotic medications. It is linked to dysregulated dopamine signaling in brain regions controlling movement and affects an estimated 800,000 adults in the United States.
INGREZZA, a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor, works by reducing dopamine release and is designed to help control abnormal movements. Together, the real-world and clinical data underscore the importance of sustained treatment in TD and support the role of INGREZZA in long-term disease management.
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About the Writer
Dr. Anuja Badgujar, BDS is a dentist with expertise in US healthcare data and medical data annotation. With four years of experience handling US healthcare datasets, she brings strong domain knowledge and precision to her work. She is also deeply passionate about medical writing, with a focus on translating complex medical information into clear and structured content.