Deutetrabenazine, a novel VMAT-2 inhibitor, was evaluated in phase 3 trials for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. The deuterated form of tetrabenazine was found to be well-tolerated, safe, and successful in reducing patient symptoms. By administering fixed doses, treatment can be individualized according to dyskinesia control and patient tolerance.¹

Findings revealed that deuterated tetrabenazine reduced the abnormal involuntary movements experienced by patients with tardive dyskinesia due to dopamine receptor antagonists. A dose of 24 mg or 36 mg daily had a marked effect in Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) scores compared with placebo, and a significant proportion of patients had 50% or more improvement. Although there were 2 fatalities, neither was linked with the drug under investigation.^2,3

If the FDA approves deutetrabenazine for tardive dyskinesia there will be 2 new drugs available to treat this condition. This will help to promote further research as questions on treatment duration still need to be answered.²

References

1. Anderson KE, Stamler D, Davis MD, et al. Deutetrabenazine for treatment of involuntary movements in patients with tardive dyskinesia (AIM-TD): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;pii: S2215-0366(17)30236-5.[Epub ahead of print]
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215036617302365

2. Fiore K. Second Tardive Dyskinesia Drug Works. MedPageToday website. Published June 30, 2017. https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/generalpsychiatry/66372. Accessed July 15, 2017.

3. Correll CU, Carbon M. A new class of VMAT-2 inhibitors for tardive dyskinesia.
Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;pii: S2215-0366(17)30279-1.[Epub ahead of print] No abstract available.
http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lanpsy/PIIS2215-0366(17)30279-1.pdf