Vraylar

— THERAPEUTIC CATEGORIES —
  • Mood disorders
  • Psychosis

Vraylar Generic Name & Formulations

General Description

Cariprazine 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg, 6mg; caps.

Pharmacological Class

Atypical antipsychotic.

How Supplied

Caps—30, 90; Blister packs—7 (1.5mg; 1.5mg × 1 + 3mg × 6)

Manufacturer

Generic Availability

NO

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action of cariprazine in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder is unknown. However, the efficacy of cariprazine could be mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at central dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.

Vraylar Indications

Indications

Manic, mixed or depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. Adjunct to antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD).

Vraylar Dosage and Administration

Adult

Manic, mixed episodes: initially 1.5mg once daily; increase to 3mg on Day 2; may further adjust by 1.5mg or 3mg increments based on response and tolerability; max 6mg/day. Usual range 3–6mg once daily. Bipolar I depressive episodes, adjunct to MDD: initially 1.5mg once daily; may increase to 3mg on Day 15 based on response and tolerability; max 3mg/day. Initiating a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor while on Vraylar: reduce Vraylar dose by ½. Initiating Vraylar while already on a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor: give 1.5mg on Days 1 and 3 (no dose on Day 2), then 1.5mg daily from Day 4 onward; increase to max 3mg daily. May need to increase Vraylar dose after withdrawing inhibitor.

Children

Not established.

Vraylar Contraindications

Not Applicable

Vraylar Boxed Warnings

Boxed Warning

Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Vraylar Warnings/Precautions

Warnings/Precautions

Elderly with dementia-related psychosis (not approved use); increased risk of death or cerebrovascular events (eg, stroke, TIA). Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults; monitor for clinical worsening or behavior changes in all patients. Discontinue immediately if neuroleptic malignant syndrome is suspected; treat appropriately. Tardive dyskinesia. Diabetes. Monitor for hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia; do fasting blood glucose and lipids testing initially and during therapy. Monitor for weight gain, extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia; consider reducing dose or discontinuing. Pre-existing low WBC or ANC, or history of leukopenia/neutropenia; monitor CBCs during 1st few months of treatment; discontinue if WBCs decline or ANC <1000/mm3. Hypovolemia. Dehydration. Perform fall risk assessments when initiating and recurrently on long-term therapy. Cardio- or cerebrovascular disease. Monitor HR and BP. History of seizures. Strenuous exercise. Exposure to extreme heat. Risk for aspiration. Reevaluate periodically. Severe hepatic or renal impairment: not recommended. Neonates: risk of extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms post delivery (due to exposure during 3rd-trimester pregnancy). Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.

Vraylar Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Hepatic (CYP3A4). 91–97% serum protein bound.

Elimination

Renal (~21%). Half-life: 31.6–68.4 hours.

Vraylar Interactions

Interactions

See Adults. Potentiated by strong CYP3A inhibitors (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole). Concomitant CYP3A4 inducers (eg, rifampin, carbamazepine): not recommended. Potentiates antihypertensives. Caution with drugs that interfere with temperature regulation (eg, anticholinergics).

Vraylar Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reactions

Extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, dyspepsia, vomiting, somnolence, restlessness, nausea, fatigue, constipation, insomnia, increased appetite, dizziness; orthostatic hypotension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, weight gain, dysphagia, neutropenia, leukopenia.

Vraylar Clinical Trials

See Literature

Vraylar Note

Not Applicable

Vraylar Patient Counseling

See Literature

Vraylar Generic Name & Formulations

General Description

Cariprazine 1.5mg, 3mg, 4.5mg, 6mg; caps.

Pharmacological Class

Atypical antipsychotic.

How Supplied

Caps—30, 90; Blister packs—7 (1.5mg; 1.5mg × 1 + 3mg × 6)

Manufacturer

Generic Availability

NO

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of action of cariprazine in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder is unknown. However, the efficacy of cariprazine could be mediated through a combination of partial agonist activity at central dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.

Vraylar Indications

Indications

Schizophrenia.

Vraylar Dosage and Administration

Adult

Initially 1.5mg once daily; increase to 3mg on Day 2; may further adjust by 1.5mg or 3mg increments based on response and tolerability; max 6mg/day. Usual range 1.5–6mg once daily. Initiating a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor while on Vraylar: reduce Vraylar dose by ½. Initiating Vraylar while already on a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor: give 1.5mg on Days 1 and 3 (no dose on Day 2), then 1.5mg daily from Day 4 onward; increase to max 3mg daily. May need to increase Vraylar dose after withdrawing inhibitor.

Children

Not established.

Vraylar Contraindications

Not Applicable

Vraylar Boxed Warnings

Boxed Warning

Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Vraylar Warnings/Precautions

Warnings/Precautions

Elderly with dementia-related psychosis (not approved use); increased risk of death or cerebrovascular events (eg, stroke, TIA). Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults; monitor for clinical worsening or behavior changes in all patients. Discontinue immediately if neuroleptic malignant syndrome is suspected; treat appropriately. Tardive dyskinesia. Diabetes. Monitor for hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia; do fasting blood glucose and lipids testing initially and during therapy. Monitor for weight gain, extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia; consider reducing dose or discontinuing. Pre-existing low WBC or ANC, or history of leukopenia/neutropenia; monitor CBCs during 1st few months of treatment; discontinue if WBCs decline or ANC <1000/mm3. Hypovolemia. Dehydration. Perform fall risk assessments when initiating and recurrently on long-term therapy. Cardio- or cerebrovascular disease. Monitor HR and BP. History of seizures. Strenuous exercise. Exposure to extreme heat. Risk for aspiration. Reevaluate periodically. Severe hepatic or renal impairment: not recommended. Neonates: risk of extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms post delivery (due to exposure during 3rd-trimester pregnancy). Pregnancy. Nursing mothers.

Vraylar Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Hepatic (CYP3A4). 91–97% serum protein bound.

Elimination

Renal (~21%). Half-life: 31.6–68.4 hours.

Vraylar Interactions

Interactions

See Adults. Potentiated by strong CYP3A inhibitors (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole). Concomitant CYP3A4 inducers (eg, rifampin, carbamazepine): not recommended. Potentiates antihypertensives. Caution with drugs that interfere with temperature regulation (eg, anticholinergics).

Vraylar Adverse Reactions

Adverse Reactions

Extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, dyspepsia, vomiting, somnolence, restlessness, nausea; orthostatic hypotension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, weight gain, dysphagia, neutropenia, leukopenia.

Vraylar Clinical Trials

See Literature

Vraylar Note

Not Applicable

Vraylar Patient Counseling

See Literature

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