(BPT) - Davitria lives with two mental illnesses and tardive dyskinesia.
This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Davitria was compensated by Neurocrine Biosciences to share her story.
Every year during the first week of October, Mental Illness Awareness Week is recognized nationwide to raise awareness and support those living with a mental illness. More than one in five adults live with a mental illness in the United States, and of those, up to 30 percent of people who are taking antipsychotic treatment also develop a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is a movement disorder associated with prolonged use of certain antipsychotics.
Davitria, an only child from Tennessee, has had a lifelong journey with mental illness and also lives with TD. Davitria's journey with mental illness started when she was five years old and triggered after witnessing her parents have intense arguments. She believes discovering her passion for basketball as a child helped her cope.
'The coach of the boys' basketball team walked past, pointed at me, and said 'You play basketball?' I said, 'No, sir.' He said, 'You do now.' I believe that man and basketball saved my life,' said Davitria.
Despite finding solace in playing basketball, later in her life, Davitria was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in college and bipolar disorder in 2015.
Over the years, Davitria was prescribed a variety of antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. Working with her healthcare providers, she found a treatment plan that helped control her underlying mental illnesses. But a few years later, she began to experience uncontrollable movements, first impacting her shoulder, then other body parts including her head, arms and mouth.
'For about three years, I suffered with these movements and saw different doctors. I started with my primary care physician, then switched to psychiatrists and then two neurologists,' said Davitria. She was finally referred to a nurse practitioner (NP), who diagnosed her with TD.
TD is a chronic condition that affects approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. It may lead to mild, moderate or severe uncontrollable, abnormal and repetitive movements in different parts of the body. These movements can impact people physically, socially and emotionally. People with TD have reported feeling judged, ashamed, and misunderstood.
As a dedicated basketball player and coach, Davitria valued her ability to be in control of her body. The uncontrollable movements quickly began to affect her, so her NP prescribed INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules. Only INGREZZA offers simple dosing that's always one capsule, once daily to treat adults with the uncontrollable movements of TD.
INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:
- movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).
It is not known if INGREZZA is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INGREZZA can cause serious side effects in people with Huntington's disease, including: depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal actions. Tell your healthcare provider before you start taking INGREZZA if you have Huntington's disease and are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts. Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is especially important when INGREZZA is started and when the dose is changed. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become depressed, have unusual changes in mood or behavior, or have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Do not take INGREZZA if you are allergic to valbenazine, or any of the ingredients in INGREZZA.
Please see full Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, below and Prescribing Information.
After starting INGREZZA, Davitria saw a reduction in her movements and was able to return to the activities she enjoyed, including basketball and other everyday activities. 'Now that I have fewer uncontrollable body movements, I feel like I can get back to doing my favorite things,' she said.
During this year's Mental Illness Awareness Week, Davitria wants to share her story to raise awareness of TD, its impact, and the importance of working with healthcare professionals to find a once-daily treatment like INGREZZA that helps with the persistent, uncontrollable movements associated with TD.
'Mental Illness Awareness Week means more people will hear about mental health,' she said. 'It is important to me to have the opportunity to help spread awareness about TD and empower people to seek the treatment they need, like how I did with INGREZZA.'
Visit INGREZZA.com to learn more about TD and talk to your doctor about possible treatment options, including INGREZZA.
Important Information
Approved Uses
INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:
- movements in the face, tongue, or other body parts that cannot be controlled (tardive dyskinesia).
- involuntary movements (chorea) of Huntington's disease. INGREZZA does not cure the cause of involuntary movements, and it does not treat other symptoms of Huntington's disease, such as problems with thinking or emotions.
It is not known if INGREZZA is safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
INGREZZA can cause serious side effects in people with Huntington's disease, including: depression, suicidal thoughts, or suicidal actions. Tell your healthcare provider before you start taking INGREZZA if you have Huntington's disease and are depressed (have untreated depression or depression that is not well controlled by medicine) or have suicidal thoughts. Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. This is especially important when INGREZZA is started and when the dose is changed. Call your healthcare provider right away if you become depressed, have unusual changes in mood or behavior, or have thoughts of hurting yourself.
Do not take INGREZZA if you:
- are allergic to valbenazine, or any of the ingredients in INGREZZA.
INGREZZA may cause serious side effects, including:
- Sudden swelling from an allergic reaction (angioedema). Sudden swelling has happened after the first dose or after many doses of INGREZZA. Signs and symptoms of angioedema include: swelling of your face, lips, throat, and other areas of your skin, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and raised, red areas on your skin (hives). Swelling in the throat can be life-threatening and can lead to death. Go to the nearest emergency room right away if you develop these signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider should stop your treatment with INGREZZA.
- Heart rhythm problems (QT prolongation). INGREZZA may cause a heart problem known as QT prolongation. Symptoms of QT prolongation may include: fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, or shortness of breath.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a change in your heartbeat (a fast or irregular heartbeat), or if you faint.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS is a serious condition that can lead to death. Call a healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms and they do not have another obvious cause: high fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, very fast or uneven heartbeat, or increased sweating.
- Abnormal movements (Parkinson-like). Symptoms include: shaking, body stiffness, trouble moving or walking, or keeping your balance.
Before taking INGREZZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you: have liver or heart problems, are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Sleepiness (sedation) is a common side effect with INGREZZA. While taking INGREZZA, do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how INGREZZA affects you. Drinking alcohol and taking other drugs that may also cause sleepiness while you are taking INGREZZA may increase any sleepiness caused by INGREZZA.
The most common side effect of INGREZZA in people with tardive dyskinesia is sleepiness (somnolence).
The most common side effects of INGREZZA in people with Huntington's disease are sleepiness (somnolence), allergic itching, rash, and trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep.
These are not all of the possible side effects of INGREZZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see INGREZZA full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning.
This article was sponsored and developed by Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. Davitria was compensated by Neurocrine Biosciences to share her story.
©2023 Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CP-VBZ-US-2936 10/2023
