Key takeaways
- Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic prescribed for schizophrenia, bipolar mania, bipolar depression, or as an add-on treatment for major depressive disorder in adults. It’s also approved to treat bipolar mania in children ages 10 to 17 years and schizophrenia in children ages 13 to 17 years.
- Dosages for Vraylar are tailored to the person and their condition. Dosages typically starting low and gradually increasing to achieve the desired effect, with a maximum daily dose of 6 mg for adults and 4.5 mg for children.
- Vraylar is usually a long-term treatment to manage symptoms for conditions like schizophrenia and depression. For bipolar mania, the treatment duration may be shorter. It’s important that you not stop this medication without consulting a doctor due to potential symptom recurrence.
Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic. It’s used to treat the following mental health conditions in adults and certain children:
- major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, when used as an adjunctive (add-on) therapy to antidepressants
- schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 to 17 years.
- bipolar I disorder:
- manic or mixed episodes in adults and children ages 10 to 17 years
- depressive episodes (bipolar depression) in adults
Vraylar images
Vraylar comes as an oral capsule. It’s currently available in six strengths, shown here in milligrams (mg):
- 0.5 mg
- 0.75 mg
- 1.5 mg
- 3 mg
- 4.5 mg
- 6 mg
You’ll take your Vraylar dose by mouth once per day, with or without food. You should swallow the capsule whole. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, ask your doctor or pharmacist for suggestions, or check out these tips for swallowing pills.
You can take Vraylar at any time of the day, but you should try to take it at the same time each day. Choose the time that works best for you.
The following dosage charts show the dose ranges in milligrams (mg) that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Vraylar dosing for adults
| Condition | Starting dosage | Recommended range | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schizophrenia | 1.5 mg once daily | 1.5 to 6 mg daily | 6 mg daily |
| MDD (adjunctive) | 1.5 mg once daily | 1.5 or 3 mg daily | 3 mg daily |
| Bipolar mania | 1.5 mg once daily | 3 to 6 mg daily | 6 mg daily |
| Bipolar depression | 1.5 mg once daily | 1.5 or 3 mg daily | 3 mg daily |
Vraylar dosing for children
| Condition | Age group | Starting dosage | Recommended range | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schizophrenia | 13 to 17 years | 0.5 mg once daily | 1.5 to 4.5 mg daily | 4.5 mg daily |
| Bipolar mania | 10 to 17 years | 0.5 mg once daily | 3 or 4.5 mg daily | 4.5 mg daily |
Note regarding use in children: Dosage is typically increased gradually (for example, on days 3, 5, 8) to reach the recommended level.
Vraylar is not recommended for children with bipolar depression or MDD.
Your doctor will likely prescribe a low starting dose, which you’ll take once per day. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dose that provides the desired effect.
Note: Dosages higher than 6 mg haven’t been shown to be more effective, and may cause more Vraylar side effects.
Dosage for schizophrenia
- Adults: You’ll likely start at 1.5 mg once daily. The dose can be increased to 3 mg on day 2. The recommended range is 1.5 mg to 6 mg, with a maximum daily dose of 6 mg.
- Children (13 to 17 years): You’ll likely start at 0.5 mg once daily. The dosage is increased gradually: to 1.5 mg on day 3, 3 mg on day 5, and 4.5 mg on day 8. The maximum recommended dosage is 4.5 mg daily.
Dosage for bipolar mania (manic or mixed episodes)
- Adults: You’ll likely start with 1.5 mg on day 1 and increase to 3 mg on day 2. The recommended range is 3 mg to 6 mg, with a maximum daily dose of 6 mg.
- Children (10 to 17 years): You’ll likely start at 0.5 mg once daily. The dosage increases to 1.5 mg on day 3 and 3 mg on day 5. Depending on your response, it may be increased to 4.5 mg starting on day 8. The maximum recommended dosage is 4.5 mg daily.
Dosage for bipolar depression and MDD (adjunctive)
- Note: These indications are only FDA-approved for adults.
- Adults: Both conditions start at 1.5 mg once daily. On day 15, your doctor may increase your dose to 3 mg. The maximum dosage for both conditions is 3 mg daily.
Dosage adjustments
The dosage of Vraylar your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Vraylar to treat as well as other medications you take.
Your doctor will adjust your dosage of Vraylar if you’re taking a medication that interacts with CYP3A4. This is an enzyme in your body that helps Vraylar work properly. It also helps your body get rid of the drug. Any medication that affects the level of CYP3A4 in your body can cause Vraylar to be less effective or build up in your system. If Vraylar builds up, you may have an increased risk of side effects.
Before starting Vraylar, tell your doctor about any medications you take. And let them know if you start or stop any medications during your Vraylar treatment.
How long do you take Vraylar?
It depends on the condition you’re taking Vraylar to treat.
Vraylar is typically a long-term treatment for schizophrenia, depression, and depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder. If you and your doctor determine that Vraylar is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term for these conditions.
Vraylar doesn’t cure schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar I disorder, but it does help manage their symptoms. If you stop taking Vraylar, your symptoms may return. You should not stop taking Vraylar before talking with your doctor.
You may take Vraylar for only a few weeks to treat manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder. Your doctor will determine how long you need to take Vraylar for this purpose.
If you miss a dose of Vraylar, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to when you would take your next dose of Vraylar, skip the dose you missed.
It’s important not to take more than one dose of Vraylar per day. If you’re unsure whether you should take the missed dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Vraylar on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or a timer, or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Vraylar than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects, including death.
What to do in case you take too much Vraylar
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Vraylar. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
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