From the FDA Drug Label
The starting dosage of VRAYLAR is 1.5 mg orally once daily.
2.2 Recommended Dosage in Schizophrenia The starting dosage of VRAYLAR is 1.5 mg orally once daily.
2.3 Recommended Dosage in Manic or Mixed Episodes Associated with Bipolar I Disorder The starting dosage of VRAYLAR is 1.5 mg orally once daily.
2.4 Recommended Dosage in Depressive Episodes Associated with Bipolar I Disorder (Bipolar Depression) The starting dosage of VRAYLAR is 1.5 mg orally once daily.
2.5 Recommended Dosage for Adjunctive Therapy to Antidepressants for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder The starting dosage of VRAYLAR is 1.5 mg orally once daily.
The starting dose of Vraylar is 1.5 mg orally once daily for all indications, including:
- Schizophrenia
- Manic or Mixed Episodes Associated with Bipolar I Disorder
- Depressive Episodes Associated with Bipolar I Disorder (Bipolar Depression)
- Adjunctive Therapy to Antidepressants for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder 1
From the Research
The starting dose of Vraylar (cariprazine) is typically 1.5 mg once daily. After starting at this dose, it can be increased to 3 mg on day 2 if needed. For patients with bipolar disorder, the recommended dose range is 3-6 mg once daily, while for schizophrenia, the recommended range is 1.5-6 mg once daily. Dose adjustments should be made gradually, usually in increments of 1.5 mg or 3 mg, depending on clinical response and tolerability. Vraylar is an atypical antipsychotic that works by affecting dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain. It's essential to take Vraylar at the same time each day, with or without food. Patients should be aware that the full therapeutic effect may take several weeks to develop. Common side effects include restlessness, movement disorders, and weight gain. Lower starting doses may be necessary for elderly patients or those with hepatic or renal impairment. Patients should not stop taking Vraylar suddenly without consulting their healthcare provider. Some key points to consider when prescribing Vraylar include:
- The medication has a high affinity for dopamine D3 receptors, which may contribute to its efficacy in treating schizophrenia and bipolar disorder 2.
- The most common adverse reactions associated with Vraylar are extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, and restlessness, which can be minimized with conservative dosing and titration strategies 3.
- Vraylar has been shown to be effective in treating bipolar depression, with a number needed to treat of 10 for response and 11 for remission 4.
- The incidence of akathisia with Vraylar is higher than with some other antipsychotics, but the severity is generally mild to moderate and only leads to treatment discontinuation in a minority of cases 5. It's crucial to weigh the potential benefits and risks of Vraylar and adjust the dose accordingly to minimize adverse effects and maximize therapeutic efficacy.