Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions in adults:

The active drug in Rexulti is brexpiprazole. This drug belongs to a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. (A medication class is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.) Rexulti is currently only available as a brand-name medication.

Rexulti comes as tablets that you swallow. It’s available in the following strengths: 0.25 milligrams (mg), 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg.

Keep reading for information on the dosage of Rexulti, including its form, strengths, and how to take the drug. For a comprehensive look at Rexulti, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Rexulti provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Rexulti, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about typical therapeutic Rexulti dosages. Therapeutic dosage refers to the dosage at which the medication has been proven to work.

Rexulti form

Rexulti comes as tablets that you swallow.

Rexulti strengths

Rexulti tablets are available in the following range of strengths:

  • 0.25 milligrams (mg)
  • 0.5 mg
  • 1 mg
  • 2 mg
  • 3 mg
  • 4 mg

Typical dosages

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.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for depression

Rexulti is used as adjuvant therapy for depression. This means it’s taken with at least one other drug to treat depression.

There are two typical starting dosages of Rexulti for depression: 0.5 mg once per day, or 1 mg once per day. Your doctor will likely increase your dosage to 2 mg per day after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment.

Rexulti’s maximum dosage for treating depression is 3 mg per day.

Dosage for schizophrenia

Rexulti’s typical dosage range for schizophrenia treatment is:

  • 1 mg per day, for the first 4 days
  • 2 mg per day, for days 5 to 7
  • 4 mg per day starting on day 8, if needed

The maximum dosage of Rexulti for treating schizophrenia is 4 mg per day.

Long-term use

Rexulti is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor decide that Rexulti is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Rexulti dosages.

What’s the Rexulti dosage for treating anxiety?

Rexulti is not approved to treat anxiety. But the drug may be prescribed off-label to treat this condition. Off-label drug use means using a drug for a purpose other than what it’s been approved for.

Rexulti has been studied for depression treatment in people who also have depression with symptoms of anxiety. For this use, people took 2 milligrams (mg) to 3 mg of Rexulti per day. But more studies are needed to determine Rexulti’s safety and effectiveness as an anxiety treatment.

If you have questions about anxiety treatment or Rexulti’s off-label use for anxiety, talk with your doctor.

When used for bipolar disorder, what’s the recommended dosage of Rexulti?

Rexulti is not approved to treat bipolar disorder. But the drug may be prescribed off-label for this purpose. Off-label drug use means using a drug for a purpose other than what it’s been approved for.

One study has looked at Rexulti dosages of up to 4 mg per day to treat bipolar disorder in adults. However, more studies are needed to determine the drug’s safety and effectiveness for bipolar disorder treatment.

If you have questions about bipolar disorder treatment and Rexulti’s off-label use for this condition, talk with your doctor.

It’s important that you don’t use more Rexulti than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Rexulti

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Rexulti. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers on 800-222-1222 or use their online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The Rexulti dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Rexulti to treat
  • your age
  • other medications you may take
  • other medical conditions you may have, including any that affect your body’s ability to break down drugs such as Rexulti

Dosage adjustments

If you have certain medical conditions, you may be prescribed a lower dosage of Rexulti than usual. These conditions include:

  • moderate to severe liver disease
  • moderate to severe kidney disease
  • poor CYP2D6 metabolism (a condition in which your body has trouble using a type of protein called CYP2D6 to break down medications)

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your medical history, including medical conditions you currently have, before you begin taking Rexulti. Your doctor will adjust your dosage as needed.

Rexulti comes as tablets that you swallow. You may take Rexulti tablets with or without food, at any time of day. However, make sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations for taking Rexulti.

It’s important not to crush, split, or chew Rexulti tablets. The tablets should be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend ways to make taking Rexulti easier for you. Or they may recommend a different treatment for your condition.

If you miss a dose of Rexulti, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, however, you should skip the missed dose. Then, take your next scheduled dose at your usual time.

You should not “double up” by taking two Rexulti tablets at once. This could increase your risk for side effects from the medication.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too.

You should not stop taking Rexulti without first talking with your doctor. If you and your doctor agree that you’ll stop taking Rexulti, your doctor will recommend tapering off the medication. Tapering refers to decreasing your dosage over time. This is safer than suddenly stopping the drug.

With certain medications, stopping the drug all at once can cause withdrawal symptoms. This can happen because over time, your body becomes dependent on the drug. This means you need the drug in order to feel normal.

Rexulti didn’t cause withdrawal symptoms in clinical studies. But Rexulti belongs to a class of medications* called atypical antipsychotics. And withdrawal has been reported in people who took other atypical antipsychotic drugs, such as Abilify (aripiprazole).

Withdrawal symptoms reported by people who abruptly stop taking atypical antipsychotics include:

Stopping Rexulti can also cause a return of symptoms of the condition you’re taking the drug for. Your doctor can recommend safe ways to stop Rexulti treatment and reduce your risk for withdrawal symptoms.

* A class of medications is a group of drugs that work in a similar way.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Rexulti for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Rexulti without your doctor’s approval. If you have questions about the dosage of Rexulti that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want additional information about Rexulti. These articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.