Daily Medication Pearl: Valbenazine (Ingrezza)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Valbenazine (Ingrezza)

Indication: Valbenazine (Ingrezza) is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia.

Insight:

• Dosing:The initial dose is 40 mg once daily. After 1 week, increase the dose to the recommended dose of 80 mg once daily.
• Dosage forms: Capsules 40 mg.
• Adverse events: Most common adverse reaction (≥5% and twice the rate of placebo) is somnolence.
• Mechanism of action: The mechanism of action of valbenazine in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia is unknown but is thought to be mediated through the reversible inhibition of VMAT2, a transporter that regulates monoamine uptake from the cytoplasm to the synaptic vesicle for storage and release.
• Manufacturer: Neurocrine Biosciences

Source: INGREZZATM (valbenazine) capsules Label (fda.gov)