Key takeaways:
Ingrezza (valbenazine) is an oral medication that treats movement disorders related to tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s disease.
Some people notice improved symptoms within 2 weeks of starting Ingrezza. Most people see clearer benefits from Ingrezza after 6 to 12 weeks of regular use, and symptoms may continue to improve with long-term use.
Most people take Ingrezza long term to keep symptoms under control. If you stop taking it, involuntary movements will likely return and could worsen. So it’s important to keep taking Ingrezza as directed and talk to your prescriber before making any changes.
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Ingrezza (valbenazine) is an oral medication that treats movement disorders related to tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s disease. It comes in an oral capsule as well as a sprinkle capsule you can open and mix with soft foods. The typical Ingrezza dosage is 80 mg once daily.
It’s common to wonder when you’ll notice a change in your symptoms after you start taking it. This article provides pharmacist-backed answers to common questions about Ingrezza, including how long it takes to work and how to get the most from your medication.
How long does Ingrezza take to work?
Ingrezza usually reaches peak levels in the body within 1 hour of taking a capsule or 1.5 hours of taking a sprinkle capsule.
As your body breaks down Ingrezza, it also forms a second active ingredient, known as an active metabolite of the medication. It takes about 4 to 8 hours for the active metabolite to reach peak levels in the body.
In studies, some people noticed an improvement in symptoms within the first 2 weeks of treatment. But it can take longer for Ingrezza to reach its full effects.
How long does it take to see full effects from Ingrezza?
In studies, Ingrezza’s effects were measured after 6 weeks of treatment for tardive dyskinesia and 10 to 12 weeks of treatment for chorea (involuntary movements) associated with Huntington’s disease. Improved symptoms were seen at these points in treatment for both health conditions.
But long-term studies show that symptoms may continue to improve over time. So there doesn’t seem to be a set time frame for Ingrezza to reach its full effects.
What to expect when starting Ingrezza
As mentioned, it may take a few weeks before you notice a change in your symptoms after starting Ingrezza. Your prescriber will likely check in with you more often during the first couple months of treatment to help make sure your Ingrezza dosage is correct and that the medication is working well for you. But let them know if any issues arise.
Ingrezza can make you feel sleepy or more tired than usual, especially when you first start taking it. So you shouldn’t drive or perform other activities that require focus or coordination until you know how Ingrezza affects you. It’s also a good idea to limit your alcohol intake, since alcohol can worsen this side effect.
You should also be aware of some of Ingrezza’s more serious side effects. These aren’t common, but knowing what to watch for can help you recognize if there’s an issue and get prompt medical care. Serious Ingrezza side effects can include:
New or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts
Heart rhythm changes, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can cause symptoms such as severe muscle rigidity and heavy sweating
How long do you need to take Ingrezza?
Ingrezza is considered a long-term medication. In most cases, you’ll keep taking it as long as it’s working well and isn’t causing any bothersome side effects.
Studies show that if you stop taking Ingrezza, involuntary movements will return. And in some cases, they may be worse than they were before treatment. So you shouldn’t stop taking Ingrezza without talking to your prescriber first.
The bottom line
Ingrezza (valbenazine) is an oral medication that treats movement disorders related to tardive dyskinesia and Huntington’s disease. It starts working in your body within hours of taking it. But it may take a few weeks before you notice a change in your symptoms. Be aware that Ingrezza may make you feel sleepy or more tired than usual, especially when you first start taking it.
Most people see clearer benefits from Ingrezza after 6 to 12 weeks of regular use, and symptoms may continue to improve over time. Most people take Ingrezza long term to keep symptoms under control. If you stop taking it, involuntary movements will likely return and could worsen. Because of this, it’s important to keep taking Ingrezza as directed and talk to your prescriber before making any changes.
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References
Correll, C. U., et al. (2024). Sustained treatment response and global improvements with long-term valbenazine in patients with tardive dyskinesia. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Gupta, H., et al. (2021). Valbenazine for the treatment of adults with tardive dyskinesia. Health Psychology Research.
Neurocrine Biosciences. (2026). Ingrezza - valbenazine capsule, Ingrezza - valbenazine, Ingrezza Sprinkle - valbenazine capsule [package insert].
Patel, R. S., et al. (2019). A systematic review on treatment of tardive dyskinesia with valbenazine and deutetrabenazine. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology.
Stimming, E. F., et al. (2023). Safety and efficacy of valbenazine for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease (KINECT-HD): A phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology.
Uhlyar, S., et al. (2018). Valbenazine (Ingrezza): The first FDA-approved treatment for tardive dyskinesia. Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Witek, N., et al. (2019). Valbenazine in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Neurodegenerative Disease Management.
