Ingrezza (valbenazine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat tardive dyskinesia and chorea caused by Huntington’s disease. Ingrezza can cause mild to serious side effects. Examples include parkinsonism, dizziness, and sleepiness.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Ingrezza can cause.

Ingrezza has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Ingrezza treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Ingrezza in studies. Not everyone who takes Ingrezza will experience these side effects.

To learn more about sleepiness, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Mild side effects were commonly reported in Ingrezza’s studies. These included:

  • dry mouth
  • constipation
  • unsteadiness
  • dizziness
  • urinary retention
  • blurry vision
  • headache
  • joint pain
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sleepiness

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Ingrezza unless your doctor recommends it.

Ingrezza may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

To learn more about sleepiness, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Serious side effects are rare but have been reported with Ingrezza. These include:

To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In addition, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a potentially life threatening reaction, was reported with Ingrezza after the drug became available on the market. It wasn’t reported in studies of the drug.

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.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Ingrezza and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

ALLERGIC REACTION

Like most drugs, Ingrezza can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions were reported in the drug’s studies, but they were rare.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing
  • hives
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help:

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Ingrezza, they’ll advise whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ingrezza, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ingrezza’s side effects.

How do Ingrezza’s and Austedo’s side effects compare?

Ingrezza and Austedo are both oral drugs prescribed to treat tardive dyskinesia and chorea caused by Huntington’s disease. Their side effects are similar but not identical.

The following side effects have been reported with both Ingrezza and Austedo:

Also, both Ingrezza and Austedo have a boxed warning for the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details about this warning and Ingrezza, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Additional side effects reported with Ingrezza include blurry vision, urinary retention, headache, and rash.

Other side effects reported with Austedo include diarrhea, urinary tract infection (UTI), and bruising.

To learn more about how the side effects of Austedo and Ingrezza compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Ingrezza cause anxiety?

Yes. While it wasn’t common, anxiety was reported in Ingrezza’s studies.

Talk with your doctor if you experience anxiety during your treatment with this medication. They can suggest ways to help manage it or suggest other treatment options for your condition.

Will I experience side effects if I stop taking Ingrezza?

If you take Ingrezza and stop abruptly, you probably won’t experience side effects. Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in the drug’s studies. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.)

However, you should talk with your doctor before you stop taking Ingrezza, as it’s unknown whether this will make chorea or tardive dyskinesia worse.

Talk with your doctor about other treatments if you no longer want to take Ingrezza.

Learn more about some of the side effects Ingrezza may cause.

Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions in people with Huntington’s disease

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

Huntington’s disease is an inherited condition that causes nerve cells in the brain to break down. It may lead to depression and can also cause suicidal thoughts or actions. Ingrezza and similar drugs may worsen such symptoms.

Depression and suicidal thoughts or behaviors were rarely reported as side effects in studies of Ingrezza.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • feelings of hopelessness or sadness
  • low energy
  • difficulty sleeping

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts or actions include:

  • frequently wishing life would end
  • avoiding other people
  • giving away possessions or drafting a will

What might help

Before starting treatment with Ingrezza, let your doctor know if you have any mental health conditions. Also let them know if you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts or engaged in suicidal actions. This will help your doctor decide whether Ingrezza is the right treatment option for you.

Your doctor will monitor you for new or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior while you’re taking Ingrezza. They may have you stop taking it if you experience either of these conditions.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism was a rare but serious side effect reported in Ingrezza’s studies. It’s most likely to occur within the first 2 weeks of starting treatment or having your Ingrezza dose increased.

Symptoms of parkinsonism may include:

What might help

Call your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking Ingrezza at a lower dosage or if you should switch to a different treatment. Parkinsonism symptoms should go away when you stop taking Ingrezza, but talk with your doctor before you stop taking it.

If you’re taking Ingrezza for chorea caused by Huntington’s disease, stiff muscles may be a symptom of the disease worsening. If you develop muscle stiffness, contact your doctor. They’ll determine whether this effect is caused by your condition or the drug. Your doctor can then suggest appropriate treatment options.

Sleepiness

Sleepiness was one of the most common side effects reported in Ingrezza’s studies. This included reports of fatigue and sedation (feeling drowsy and less alert). Due to this risk, you should not drive or operate machinery until you know how Ingrezza affects you.

What might help

Taking Ingrezza before you go to sleep may help with this side effect. If sleepiness becomes bothersome or interferes with your daily activities, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect.

Long QT syndrome

In studies, Ingrezza caused long QT syndrome. This is when the heart takes longer than usual to relax and contract. This is more likely to occur if you’re taking certain other medications in addition to Ingrezza. Talk with your doctor before starting or stopping any other drugs.

Symptoms of long QT syndrome may include:

What might help

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above. They may do tests to identify the cause of your symptoms. If they determine you have long QT syndrome, they may have you stop taking Ingrezza.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Ingrezza treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Ingrezza affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Consider the following important information before starting Ingrezza treatment.

Ingrezza has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Other precautions

Before taking Ingrezza, discuss your health history with your doctor. Ingrezza may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.