Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
(eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole)Concomitant use of VRAYLAR with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the exposures of cariprazine and its major active metabolite, DDCAR, compared to use of VRAYLAR alone
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Recommended dose: 1.5 or 3 mg/day
Maximum recommended dose is 3 mg/day, depending on clinical response and tolerability.
Recommended dose range: 3–6 mg/day
Further adjustments can be made in 1.5- or 3-mg increments, up to a maximum recommended dose of 6 mg/day, depending on clinical response and tolerability.
VRAYLAR is mostly metabolized via the CYP3A4 pathway and, to a lesser extent, by CYP2D61
Clinically significant drug interactions and dosage adjustments with VRAYLAR1
Concomitant use of VRAYLAR with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the exposures of cariprazine and its major active metabolite, DDCAR, compared to use of VRAYLAR alone
Initiating a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor while on a stable dose of
VRAYLAR
Reduce the current dosage of VRAYLAR by half:
Initiating VRAYLAR therapy while already on a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor
When the CYP3A4 inhibitor is withdrawn, VRAYLAR dosage may need to be increased
The effect of CYP3A4 inducers on the exposure of VRAYLAR has not been evaluated, and the net effect on active drug and metabolites is unclear
Concomitant use of VRAYLAR and a CYP3A4 inducer has not been evaluated and is not recommended
Coadministration of a PPI with VRAYLAR did not affect cariprazine exposure at steady state.1*
*Pantoprazole 40 mg/day was coadministered with VRAYLAR 6 mg/day in patients with schizophrenia for 15 days.
DDCAR=didesmethyl cariprazine; PPI=proton pump inhibitor.
Contraindication: VRAYLAR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. Reactions have included rash, pruritus, urticaria, and events suggestive of angioedema.
Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke: In clinical trials with antipsychotic drugs, elderly subjects with dementia had a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including fatalities vs placebo. VRAYLAR is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS, a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported with antipsychotic drugs. NMS may cause hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, and autonomic instability. Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation, intensive symptomatic treatment, and monitoring.
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): Risk of developing TD (a syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements) and the likelihood it will become irreversible may increase with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose. The syndrome can develop after a relatively brief treatment period, even at low doses, or after treatment discontinuation. If signs and symptoms of TD appear, drug discontinuation should be considered.
Late-Occurring Adverse Reactions: Adverse events may first appear several weeks after initiation of VRAYLAR, probably because plasma levels of cariprazine and its major metabolites accumulate over time. As a result, the incidence of adverse reactions in short-term trials may not reflect the rates after longer term exposures. Monitor for adverse reactions, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or akathisia, and patient response for several weeks after starting VRAYLAR and after each dosage increase. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing the drug.
Metabolic Changes: Atypical antipsychotics have caused metabolic changes, such as:
Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis: Leukopenia/neutropenia have been reported with antipsychotics, including VRAYLAR. Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases) has been reported with other antipsychotics. Monitor complete blood count in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count or history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. Discontinue VRAYLAR at the first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC and in severely neutropenic patients.
Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Atypical antipsychotics cause orthostatic hypotension and syncope, with the greatest risk during initial titration and with dose increases. Monitor orthostatic vital signs in patients predisposed to hypotension and in those with cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases.
Falls: VRAYLAR may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures, or other injuries. For patients with diseases, conditions, or medications that could exacerbate these effects, complete fall risk assessments when initiating antipsychotics and recurrently for patients on long-term therapy.
Seizures: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients with history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold.
Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Somnolence was reported with VRAYLAR. Caution patients about performing activities requiring mental alertness (eg, operating hazardous machinery or a motor vehicle).
Body Temperature Dysregulation: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients who may experience conditions that increase body temperature (eg, strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics).
Dysphagia: Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotics. Antipsychotic drugs, including VRAYLAR, should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration.
Drug Interactions: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase VRAYLAR concentrations, so VRAYLAR dose reduction is recommended. Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers is not recommended.
Adverse Reactions: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) are listed below:
Schizophrenia: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 1.5 – 3 mg/day and 4.5 – 6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (15%, 19% vs 8%) and akathisia (9%, 13% vs 4%).
Bipolar mania: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 3 – 6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (26% vs 12%), akathisia (20% vs 5%), vomiting (10% vs 4%), dyspepsia (7% vs 4%), somnolence (7% vs 4%), and restlessness (7% vs 2%).
Bipolar depression: The incidences within the recommended doses (VRAYLAR 1.5 mg/day or 3 mg/day vs placebo) were: nausea (7%, 7% vs 3%), akathisia (6%, 10% vs 2%), restlessness (2%, 7% vs 3%), and EPS (4%, 6% vs 2%).
VRAYLAR (cariprazine) is indicated in adults for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression), the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, and the treatment of schizophrenia.
Please also see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.
Contraindication: VRAYLAR is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. Reactions have included rash, pruritus, urticaria, and events suggestive of angioedema.
Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions, Including Stroke: In clinical trials with antipsychotic drugs, elderly subjects with dementia had a higher incidence of cerebrovascular adverse reactions, including fatalities vs placebo. VRAYLAR is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): NMS, a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported with antipsychotic drugs. NMS may cause hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, delirium, and autonomic instability. Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), and acute renal failure. Manage with immediate discontinuation, intensive symptomatic treatment, and monitoring.
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD): Risk of developing TD (a syndrome of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements) and the likelihood it will become irreversible may increase with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose. The syndrome can develop after a relatively brief treatment period, even at low doses, or after treatment discontinuation. If signs and symptoms of TD appear, drug discontinuation should be considered.
Late-Occurring Adverse Reactions: Adverse events may first appear several weeks after initiation of VRAYLAR, probably because plasma levels of cariprazine and its major metabolites accumulate over time. As a result, the incidence of adverse reactions in short-term trials may not reflect the rates after longer term exposures. Monitor for adverse reactions, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or akathisia, and patient response for several weeks after starting VRAYLAR and after each dosage increase. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing the drug.
Metabolic Changes: Atypical antipsychotics have caused metabolic changes, such as:
Leukopenia, Neutropenia, and Agranulocytosis: Leukopenia/neutropenia have been reported with antipsychotics, including VRAYLAR. Agranulocytosis (including fatal cases) has been reported with other antipsychotics. Monitor complete blood count in patients with pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count or history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia. Discontinue VRAYLAR at the first sign of a clinically significant decline in WBC and in severely neutropenic patients.
Orthostatic Hypotension and Syncope: Atypical antipsychotics cause orthostatic hypotension and syncope, with the greatest risk during initial titration and with dose increases. Monitor orthostatic vital signs in patients predisposed to hypotension and in those with cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases.
Falls: VRAYLAR may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures, or other injuries. For patients with diseases, conditions, or medications that could exacerbate these effects, complete fall risk assessments when initiating antipsychotics and recurrently for patients on long-term therapy.
Seizures: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients with history of seizures or with conditions that lower the seizure threshold.
Potential for Cognitive and Motor Impairment: Somnolence was reported with VRAYLAR. Caution patients about performing activities requiring mental alertness (eg, operating hazardous machinery or a motor vehicle).
Body Temperature Dysregulation: Use VRAYLAR with caution in patients who may experience conditions that increase body temperature (eg, strenuous exercise, extreme heat, dehydration, or concomitant anticholinergics).
Dysphagia: Esophageal dysmotility and aspiration have been associated with antipsychotics. Antipsychotic drugs, including VRAYLAR, should be used cautiously in patients at risk for aspiration.
Drug Interactions: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increase VRAYLAR concentrations, so VRAYLAR dose reduction is recommended. Concomitant use with CYP3A4 inducers is not recommended.
Adverse Reactions: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice the rate of placebo) are listed below:
Schizophrenia: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 1.5 – 3 mg/day and 4.5 – 6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (15%, 19% vs 8%) and akathisia (9%, 13% vs 4%).
Bipolar mania: The incidences within the recommended dose range (VRAYLAR 3 – 6 mg/day vs placebo) were: EPS (26% vs 12%), akathisia (20% vs 5%), vomiting (10% vs 4%), dyspepsia (7% vs 4%), somnolence (7% vs 4%), and restlessness (7% vs 2%).
Bipolar depression: The incidences within the recommended doses (VRAYLAR 1.5 mg/day or 3 mg/day vs placebo) were: nausea (7%, 7% vs 3%), akathisia (6%, 10% vs 2%), restlessness (2%, 7% vs 3%), and EPS (4%, 6% vs 2%).
VRAYLAR (cariprazine) is indicated in adults for the treatment of depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression), the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, and the treatment of schizophrenia.
Please also see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warnings.