Key takeaways
- Vraylar is a once-daily antipsychotic drug that’s prescribed to help treat bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, and certain types of depression. It comes as a capsule that you swallow.
- Vraylar is not available as a generic drug. Generally, brand-name drugs tend to be more expensive than generics. However, Vraylar’s cost may depend on your specific insurance coverage and whether you qualify for any savings programs.
- Weight gain, restlessness, and involuntary muscle movements are among the most commonly reported side effects of Vraylar. But side effects may vary depending on the condition you’re taking Vraylar to treat.
Vraylar is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses:
- depressive episodes of bipolar I disorder (also known as bipolar depression) in adults
- major depressive disorder (MDD), which is also known as depression, in adults
- manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
- schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
Depending on your condition, Vraylar might be prescribed on its own or with another medication.
Vraylar may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition. To learn more about Vraylar for off-label uses, talk with your doctor.
Vraylar can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list includes some key side effects that may occur while taking Vraylar. The list doesn’t include all possible side effects.
Common side effects of Vraylar
The following side effects were most commonly reported in clinical studies of Vraylar:
- uncontrollable muscle movements, including twitching, jerking, or twisting
- restlessness and inability to sit still
- nausea or vomiting
- weight gain
- excessive sleepiness
Vraylar also has boxed warnings for the following risks:
- increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors
To learn more about these side effects, talk with your doctor or check out our in-depth guide to Vraylar’s side effects.
Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews its side effects. If you develop a side effect while taking this medication and want to report it to the FDA, you can visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
The Vraylar dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the type and severity of the condition you’re using Vraylar to treat
- your age
- other medical conditions you may have
- other medications you may be taking
The table below outlines the typical recommended starting and maintenance dosages for Vraylar in adults and children.
| Condition | Starting dose | Maintenance dose |
|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | Adults: • 1.5 mg daily Children (13 years and older): • 0.5 mg daily | Adults: • 1.5 mg to 6 mg daily Children (13 years and older): • 1.5 mg to 4.5 mg daily |
| bipolar I disorder | Adults: • 1.5 mg daily Children (10 years and older): • 0.5 mg daily | Adults: • 3 mg to 6 mg daily Children (10 years and older): • 3 mg or 4.5 mg daily |
| bipolar depression | Adults: • 1.5 mg daily | Adults: • 1.5 mg or 3 mg daily |
| MDD | Adults: • 1.5 mg daily | Adults: • 1.5 mg or 3 mg daily |
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
As with all medications, the cost of Vraylar can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.
- Comparing pharmacies: The price of Vraylar may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
- Generic Vraylar: Vraylar isn’t available in a generic form. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.
- Drug coupons: You may be able to find drug coupons on prescription discount websites that can reduce the cost of your medication. These coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits, but the discounted price may be lower than what you would pay through insurance.
- Financial assistance: Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Vraylar can interact with several other medications and certain supplements.
Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.
Before you start taking Vraylar, be sure to let your doctor know about any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Vraylar.
Yes, weight gain was a commonly reported side effect of Vraylar. Studies suggest that long-term treatment with Vraylar may cause more weight gain than short-term treatment.
Before you start taking this medication, your doctor will check your weight. They’ll continue to monitor for any weight changes throughout treatment.
If you notice significant or worrisome weight changes while taking Vraylar, be sure to let your doctor know.
No, Vraylar (a type of antipsychotic medication) isn’t known to cause sexual side effects. These problems weren’t reported in clinical trials of the drug. However, sexual problems are known to occur with other antipsychotics. And sexual problems can also be associated with the conditions that Vraylar treats.
Talk with your doctor if you have sexual problems that concern you. They may be able to recommend a suitable treatment.
Vraylar can reduce sweating and cause problems with how your body manages its core temperature. The drug makes it harder for your body to cool down if you get too hot. This is especially a problem in hot weather or when exercising. If you can’t cool down properly, you could develop heatstroke (overheating).
While using Vraylar, you should avoid strenuous exercise and wearing too much warm clothing. Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (losing too much fluid). And in hot weather, stay in a cool place out of the sun.
Talk with your doctor for other tips on how to avoid getting too hot during your Vraylar treatment.
Vraylar helps treat mental health conditions by balancing certain chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters.
While the exact way it works is not fully known, scientists believe it focuses on two specific chemical messengers: dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals help manage your mood, thinking, and behavior.
In conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, these chemicals can become unbalanced. Vraylar works to restore this balance, which can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations or extreme changes in mood.
This drug comes with several precautions.
FDA boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis: Adults ages 65 years and older with dementia can sometimes develop psychosis (loss of contact with reality). In some cases, antipsychotic medications such as Vraylar can raise the risk of death in these older adults. The FDA has not approved Vraylar to treat psychosis that’s related to dementia in older adults.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors: In some cases, antidepressant medications can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adults younger than age 25 years. Vraylar is an antipsychotic medication, but it also has an antidepressant effect when used for depression in bipolar I disorder or depression. While you take Vraylar, your doctor may monitor you closely for any signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Other precautions
Before taking Vraylar, talk with your doctor about your health history. Vraylar may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- older age
- type 2 diabetes
- high or low blood pressure
- high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- low white blood cell count
- history of dehydration
- history of heart disease or stroke
- seizures
- previous allergic reaction to Vraylar or any of its ingredients
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
Vraylar is an atypical antipsychotic that’s used for schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and MDD.
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Vraylar, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.
| Alternatives for bipolar I disorder | Alternatives for bipolar depression | Alternatives for schizophrenia |
|---|---|---|
| • lithium • divalproex (Depakote, Depakote ER) • aripiprazole (Abilify) • asenapine (Saphris) • olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis) | • lithium • lamotrigine (Lamictal) • fluoxetine/olanzapine (Symbyax) • lurasidone (Latuda) • quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) | • aripiprazole (Abilify) • asenapine (Saphris) • brexpiprazole (Rexulti) • lurasidone (Latuda) • olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis) |
For more details on alternatives to Vraylar, including alternative treatments for depression, talk with your doctor.
Vraylar is a once-daily, FDA-approved capsule for treating some mental health conditions in adults and children. Common side effects include restlessness and uncontrollable muscle movements.
Before starting treatment with Vraylar, be sure to tell your doctor about your health history, including any medications you take. Certain health factors can increase the risk of side effects from Vraylar.
Vraylar isn’t available as a generic drug, but savings programs might help lower your out-of-pocket costs. For more details, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.
