Austedo and Social Security Disability Benefits
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Austedo and Social Security Disability Benefits
Austedo, also known by its generic name deutetrabenazine, is a prescription medication used to treat certain involuntary movement disorders.
Current FDA labeling lists Austedo and Austedo XR for adults with:
- chorea associated with Huntington’s disease
- tardive dyskinesia
Taking Austedo does not automatically qualify someone for Social Security Disability benefits.
Social Security looks at:
- the underlying neurological or movement disorder
- severity and frequency of involuntary movements
- ability to use the hands
- ability to speak or communicate
- balance and walking
- concentration and pace
- medication side effects
- sedation
- depression or behavioral symptoms
- attendance
- ability to complete a normal workday
The key question is whether the underlying condition, despite treatment with Austedo, prevents you from sustaining full-time competitive employment.
What Is Austedo?
Austedo is a VMAT2 inhibitor. It is used to reduce involuntary movements associated with Huntington’s chorea and tardive dyskinesia.
Austedo is available in immediate-release and extended-release forms.
In disability claims, Austedo may appear in cases involving:
- tardive dyskinesia
- Huntington’s disease
- chorea
- involuntary facial movements
- involuntary limb movements
- abnormal tongue or mouth movements
- gait problems
- speech problems
- medication side effects
The medication itself is not the disability. The underlying condition and resulting functional limitations are what matter.
Can Taking Austedo Qualify You for Social Security Disability?
Not by itself.
Austedo may help show that a person is receiving treatment for a significant movement disorder, but Social Security still evaluates actual work limitations.
A stronger disability claim may exist when a person continues to experience:
- uncontrolled movements
- hand or arm movements that interfere with tasks
- facial or tongue movements
- difficulty speaking
- difficulty swallowing
- balance problems
- gait problems
- fatigue
- drowsiness
- restlessness
- parkinsonism
- difficulty concentrating
- depression
- excessive absences
The strongest claims connect these symptoms to specific workplace problems.
Austedo and Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia, or TD, is a movement disorder that can develop after exposure to certain medications, especially some antipsychotic drugs.
TD may cause involuntary movements involving the:
- face
- lips
- tongue
- jaw
- arms
- hands
- legs
- trunk
These movements may interfere with:
- speaking
- eating
- typing
- writing
- gripping
- using tools
- standing
- walking
- interacting with customers or coworkers
A person may be able to perform a task briefly but still be unable to maintain reliable work throughout the day if movements are frequent or distracting.
Austedo and Huntington’s Chorea
Austedo is also approved to treat chorea associated with Huntington’s disease.
Chorea may cause unpredictable, involuntary movements of the:
- arms
- legs
- face
- shoulders
- trunk
These movements may affect:
- walking
- balance
- hand coordination
- carrying objects
- sitting still
- driving
- machinery use
- safety
Huntington’s disease may also involve cognitive, behavioral, psychiatric, and speech problems beyond chorea.
Austedo treats the chorea. It does not cure Huntington’s disease or treat all of its cognitive or emotional symptoms.
Involuntary Movements and Work
Involuntary movements may interfere with both physical and sedentary work.
Possible work problems include:
- dropping objects
- accidental striking movements
- difficulty typing
- difficulty writing
- trouble using a mouse
- inability to perform fine motor tasks
- difficulty handling tools
- trouble maintaining posture
- instability while standing
- reduced pace
The work impact depends on the body areas involved and the frequency and severity of movements.
Austedo and Hand Function
Tardive dyskinesia or chorea may affect the hands and arms.
This can interfere with:
- typing
- writing
- gripping
- carrying
- using tools
- handling small objects
- operating controls
Hand and arm movements can be especially important when Social Security considers whether someone could transition to sedentary work.
Many sedentary jobs require frequent, controlled hand use.
Austedo, Speech, and Communication
Involuntary movements affecting the face, mouth, tongue, or jaw may interfere with communication.
Possible problems include:
- slurred speech
- interrupted speech
- difficulty controlling the tongue
- facial movements that make communication harder
- difficulty being understood
- reduced ability to use the telephone
These limitations may affect:
- customer service
- sales
- teaching
- healthcare
- reception work
- management
- public-facing jobs
Austedo and Swallowing Problems
Movement disorders may sometimes interfere with chewing or swallowing.
Work-related effects may include:
- longer meal times
- difficulty eating during ordinary breaks
- choking concerns
- avoidance of eating at work
- fatigue associated with eating
If swallowing problems are significant, they should be documented in the medical record.
Austedo, Walking, and Balance
Chorea and other abnormal movements may affect walking and balance.
A person may have difficulty with:
- prolonged standing
- walking across a workplace
- stairs
- uneven surfaces
- carrying objects while walking
- moving quickly
- avoiding falls
Balance problems may also create restrictions involving:
- ladders
- heights
- hazardous machinery
- driving
- moving equipment
Austedo and Sedation
Current prescribing information warns that Austedo may cause sedation and somnolence and may impair the ability to drive or operate complex machinery.
Sedation may affect:
- concentration
- pace
- driving
- machinery use
- reaction time
- attendance
- ability to complete full shifts
Sedation can be especially significant in jobs that require sustained alertness or public safety responsibilities.
Austedo and Fatigue
Fatigue was among the most common adverse reactions reported in Huntington’s disease trials.
Fatigue may interfere with:
- stamina
- concentration
- pace
- attendance
- ability to work consecutive days
- completion of full shifts
Social Security should consider fatigue together with the underlying movement disorder.
Austedo and Parkinsonism
Current prescribing information warns that Austedo may cause parkinsonism.
Possible effects may include:
- stiffness
- slowed movement
- gait problems
- tremor
- reduced facial expression
- reduced coordination
These symptoms may create additional work limitations beyond the original movement disorder.
Austedo, Akathisia, and Restlessness
Austedo can also cause akathisia, agitation, or restlessness.
These symptoms may interfere with:
- sitting still
- concentrating
- remaining at a workstation
- completing tasks
- interacting appropriately with others
Restlessness can be particularly difficult in sedentary work that requires prolonged sitting.
Austedo and Depression in Huntington’s Disease
Austedo carries a boxed warning for depression and suicidality in patients with Huntington’s disease.
The warning advises monitoring for:
- new or worsening depression
- suicidal thoughts or behavior
- unusual behavioral changes
Austedo is contraindicated in patients with Huntington’s disease who are suicidal or who have untreated or inadequately treated depression.
Depression may affect work through:
- poor concentration
- low motivation
- fatigue
- social withdrawal
- reduced pace
- difficulty handling stress
- excessive absences
In a Huntington’s disease claim, Social Security should consider both neurological and psychiatric limitations.
Austedo and Insomnia
Insomnia was among the more common adverse reactions reported in tardive dyskinesia trials.
Poor sleep may contribute to:
- daytime fatigue
- irritability
- poor concentration
- slower pace
- reduced stamina
When insomnia is persistent and medically documented, it may contribute to the overall disability picture.
Austedo and Safety-Sensitive Work
Movement disorders and medication side effects can create significant safety concerns.
Possible restrictions may involve:
- commercial driving
- forklifts
- heavy machinery
- power tools
- ladders
- heights
- fast-moving equipment
- emergency response
- jobs requiring rapid coordination
Sedation, involuntary movements, gait problems, or impaired coordination may make these jobs unsafe.
Can Austedo-Related Conditions Prevent Sedentary Work?
Yes.
Sedentary work still requires:
- controlled hand use
- concentration
- consistent pace
- regular attendance
- prolonged sitting
- communication
- safe movement around the workplace
Sedentary work may become difficult when:
- hand movements interfere with typing
- facial or tongue movements affect communication
- akathisia prevents prolonged sitting
- sedation reduces alertness
- fatigue reduces productivity
- cognitive or psychiatric symptoms interfere with concentration
- movements cause excessive off-task time
Simply being able to sit does not establish the ability to sustain full-time work.
Austedo and Residual Functional Capacity
Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC, describes what a person can still do despite medical limitations.
A claim involving Austedo may include RFC restrictions involving:
- handling
- fingering
- gripping
- reaching
- standing
- walking
- balancing
- driving
- machinery
- heights
- speaking
- public interaction
- concentration
- pace
- need for breaks
- attendance
The exact RFC depends on the underlying condition and symptoms.
For example:
- Hand movements may limit typing and handling.
- Chorea may affect standing, walking, and safety.
- Facial or tongue movements may interfere with communication.
- Sedation may limit driving and machinery.
- Akathisia may limit prolonged sitting.
- Depression may affect concentration, pace, and attendance.
Relevant Social Security Blue Book Listings
The applicable Social Security Blue Book analysis depends on the underlying diagnosis.
Potentially relevant categories may include:
- neurological disorders
- neurodegenerative disorders
- mental disorders
Huntington’s disease may be evaluated under Social Security’s neurological listings, while severe psychiatric symptoms may also require consideration under the mental disorder listings.
Tardive dyskinesia may not fit neatly into a single listing, but significant motor limitations may still support disability through medical equivalence or RFC.
A person does not have to meet a Blue Book listing to qualify for disability.
Medical Evidence That May Support an Austedo Disability Claim
Helpful medical evidence may include:
- neurology records
- psychiatry records
- movement-disorder specialist records
- abnormal involuntary movement examinations
- gait findings
- hand-function findings
- speech evaluations
- swallowing evaluations
- mental status examinations
- medication history
- Austedo dose changes
- records of side effects
- video documentation when included in medical records
- provider statements about work limitations
The strongest evidence connects the movement disorder to specific workplace restrictions.
Evidence of Medication Side Effects
Helpful documentation may include:
- sedation
- somnolence
- fatigue
- restlessness
- insomnia
- parkinsonism
- medication dose reductions
- discontinuation because of side effects
- provider restrictions on driving or machinery
Side effects are more persuasive when they are consistently documented in treatment records.
Doctor Statements for Austedo-Related Work Limitations
A treating provider may be able to address:
- hand use
- fine motor control
- gait
- balance
- standing and walking
- speech
- communication
- concentration
- pace
- sedation
- safety restrictions
- need for breaks
- expected absences
- ability to complete a full workday
Specific functional opinions are generally more useful than simply stating that a person is “disabled.”
Tracking Symptoms While Taking Austedo
A symptom log may help document:
- involuntary movements
- body areas affected
- movement frequency
- hand problems
- speech difficulty
- swallowing problems
- falls or near-falls
- fatigue
- sedation
- restlessness
- sleep problems
- mood changes
- missed work
- medication changes
A symptom log does not replace medical evidence, but it may help show patterns over time.
Signs Austedo May Be Relevant to Your Disability Claim
Austedo treatment may be relevant when you continue to experience:
- frequent involuntary movements
- hand dysfunction
- difficulty speaking
- swallowing problems
- gait or balance problems
- fatigue
- sedation
- parkinsonism
- restlessness
- depression
- excessive absences
- inability to complete full shifts
When these limitations are persistent and medically documented, the disability claim may be stronger.
Common Mistakes in Austedo Disability Claims
Common problems include:
- relying on the prescription itself as proof of disability
- failing to document the underlying diagnosis
- not describing movement frequency
- failing to document hand limitations
- ignoring speech or swallowing problems
- not reporting sedation
- failing to document gait or balance problems
- ignoring depression or behavioral symptoms in Huntington’s disease
- failing to explain safety restrictions
- assuming sedentary work is automatically possible
A strong claim explains how the movement disorder and treatment affect actual workplace functioning.
When to Speak With a Social Security Disability Lawyer
Many people seek legal help when:
- their disability claim has been denied
- tardive dyskinesia continues despite Austedo
- Huntington’s chorea interferes with work
- involuntary movements affect hand use
- speech or communication is impaired
- sedation or fatigue interferes with functioning
- balance problems create safety concerns
- depression or cognitive symptoms are significant
- Social Security assumes they can perform sedentary work
Our social security disability attorneys can help evaluate how the diagnosis, treatment history, Austedo use, medication effects, and RFC limitations fit into the overall claim.
FAQs: Austedo and Social Security Disability Benefits
Can taking Austedo qualify me for Social Security Disability?
Not by itself. Social Security evaluates the underlying neurological or movement disorder, severity of symptoms, treatment history, medication side effects, and ability to sustain full-time work.
What conditions is Austedo used to treat?
Austedo and Austedo XR are FDA-approved in adults for chorea associated with Huntington’s disease and tardive dyskinesia.
Can Austedo make you sleepy?
Yes. Current prescribing information warns that Austedo may cause sedation and somnolence and may impair driving or operation of complex machinery.
Can Austedo cause parkinsonism?
Yes. Parkinsonism is a recognized warning in the current prescribing information.
Can Austedo affect depression?
In patients with Huntington’s disease, Austedo carries a boxed warning for depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior.
Can tardive dyskinesia prevent sedentary work?
Yes. Involuntary hand, facial, tongue, or body movements may interfere with typing, communication, concentration, pace, and prolonged sitting.
Can Huntington’s chorea prevent full-time work?
Yes. Chorea may interfere with walking, balance, hand use, safety, communication, and productivity. Huntington’s disease may also cause cognitive and psychiatric limitations.
What evidence helps prove an Austedo-related disability claim?bility claim?
Helpful evidence may include neurology and psychiatry records, movement-disorder examinations, gait findings, hand-function findings, speech or swallowing evaluations, medication history, documented side effects, and provider statements describing specific work restrictions.
What should I do if my movement disorder prevents me from working despite Austedo?
You may want to speak with a Social Security Disability attorney to evaluate whether your diagnosis, symptoms, treatment history, medication effects, RFC limitations, and work history may support a disability claim.
Contact MLF Legal for a Free Disability Case Evaluation
If tardive dyskinesia, Huntington’s disease, chorea, involuntary movements, Austedo side effects, or another neurological condition prevents you from working, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits.
MLF Legal represents disability applicants nationwide. Based in Dallas, Texas, we help individuals across the country pursue disability benefits.
Our social security lawyers can review your situation for free and explain your options.
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