Ingrezza (valbenazine) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s chorea. As with other drugs, Ingrezza can cause side effects. These include a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in certain people.

Ingrezza can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ingrezza in clinical trials:

Mild side effects can occur with Ingrezza use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ingrezza’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Ingrezza include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Ingrezza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Ingrezza. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Ingrezza may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Ingrezza’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Ingrezza, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Ingrezza has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after taking Ingrezza. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ingrezza may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ingrezza.

Risks of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with Huntington’s disease

Ingrezza has a boxed warning about risks of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It lets doctors and patients know about a drug’s effects that may be dangerous.

Ingrezza is approved to treat chorea related to Huntington’s disease in adults. Depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors were not common in clinical trials for this condition.

However, this risk may be higher in people who’ve had depression or suicidal behaviors in the past. Keep in mind that Huntington’s disease itself also carries risks of depression and having suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Doctors will monitor closely for these conditions in people taking Ingrezza. Symptoms that they may watch for include:

  • feelings of hopelessness or isolation
  • loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
  • mood changes, such as agitation, anger, or irritability
  • sleep changes, such as sleeping more or less often than is typical
  • weight changes

What you can do

Before taking Ingrezza, tell your doctor if you have depression or if you’ve had suicidal thoughts or behaviors in the past. They can tell you whether Ingrezza is a safe treatment option.

While taking Ingrezza, call your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms above.

Parkinsonism

Taking Ingrezza may lead to Parkinsonism. This was a less common side effect in clinical trials of the drug.

With Parkinsonism, you have unusual body movements. Symptoms may include tremors, muscle stiffness, drooling, and difficulty walking. Some of these symptoms can lead to falling and injury.

Your risk of this side effect may be higher in the first 2 weeks after starting the drug or having your dosage increased. Symptoms are typically temporary and go away after stopping the drug or having your dosage lowered.

What you can do

Tell your doctor right away if you notice unusual body movements while taking Ingrezza. They’ll recommend whether it’s safe to continue taking the drug. Your doctor may prescribe a lower Ingrezza dosage to help ease your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Ingrezza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Certain symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, were commonly reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Ingrezza. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Keep reading to learn more about precautions for Ingrezza.

Boxed warning

This drug has a boxed warning about the risks of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Ingrezza. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Liver problems. Before taking Ingrezza, tell your doctor if you have a liver problem, such as liver failure. Having a liver problem can cause Ingrezza to build up in your system, increasing your risk of side effects from the drug.

To lower this risk, your doctor may prescribe a lower Ingrezza dosage if you have a liver problem.

Irregular heart rhythm. Before starting Ingrezza treatment, tell your doctor if you have an irregular heart rhythm. Ingrezza may cause a type of irregular heart rhythm called long QT syndrome. You may be more likely to develop this side effect if you already have an irregular heart rhythm.

Your doctor can advise whether Ingrezza is a safe treatment option.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ingrezza or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Ingrezza. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding a child, talk with your doctor before taking Ingrezza. This drug may not be safe for you to take. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for at least 5 days after your last Ingrezza dose.

Alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, Ingrezza may not be safe for you. This is because drinking alcohol could worsen sleepiness as a side effect of Ingrezza. Before consuming alcohol during Ingrezza treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink while taking this drug.

Ingrezza may cause mild and serious side effects. If you have side effects that are bothersome or long lasting, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can also tell you more about Ingrezza and help answer any questions you have about the drug’s side effects.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.