Vraylar (cariprazine) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia. Vraylar comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to treat.

Your doctor will prescribe the correct Vraylar dosage for you based on your condition. You should always take the Vraylar dosage recommended by your doctor.

The following chart summarizes Vraylar’s dosages.

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

ConditionStarting dosageTypical dosage rangeMaximum dosage
bipolar depression1.5 milligrams (mg) once daily1.5 mg to 3 mg once daily3 mg once daily
manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder1.5 mg once daily3 mg to 6 mg once daily6 mg once daily
schizophrenia1.5 mg once daily1.5 mg to 6 mg once daily6 mg once daily
major depressive disorder1.5 mg once daily1.5 mg to 3 mg once daily3 mg once daily

Vraylar form

Vraylar comes as an oral capsule.

Vraylar strengths

Vraylar comes in four strengths:

  • 1.5 milligrams (mg)
  • 3 mg
  • 4.5 mg
  • 6 mg

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start your treatment with a low dosage. Then, they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. This will be based on a dosage guide. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly taken 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 bipolar depression

The recommended starting dose of Vraylar for bipolar depression is 1.5 mg taken once daily. On day 15 of treatment, your doctor may increase your daily dose to 3 mg. This is the maximum dose of Vraylar for bipolar depression.

Dosage for manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder

For bipolar I disorder, the recommended starting dosage is 1.5 mg on day 1. On day 2, you’ll typically continue Vraylar treatment with 3 mg once daily. If needed, your doctor may slowly increase your dosage over time. The maximum dosage for bipolar I disorder is 6 mg once daily.

Dosage for schizophrenia

For schizophrenia, the recommended starting dosage is 1.5 mg on day 1. On day 2, your doctor may increase your dosage to 3 mg once daily. And, if needed, they may slowly increase your Vraylar dosage over time. The maximum recommended dosage for schizophrenia is 6 mg once daily.

Dosage for major depressive disorder (depression)

For major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly referred to as depression, the recommended starting dosage is 1.5 mg taken once daily. On day 15 of treatment, your doctor may increase your daily dose to 3 mg. The maximum recommended dosage for MDD is 3 mg once daily.

For treating MDD, you’ll take Vraylar in combination with an antidepressant. Your doctor will give you dosage instructions for the antidepressant as well as for Vraylar.

Long-term treatment

For treating manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, you may take Vraylar for a few weeks. Your doctor will let you know how long to take the drug for this use.

For the other conditions Vraylar is prescribed for, Vraylar is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Vraylar is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you miss a dose of Vraylar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about when to take your next dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

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

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Vraylar to treat
  • whether you experience side effects* from Vraylar
  • whether you take other medications

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Vraylar dosage.

* To learn more about the side effects of Vraylar, see this article.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may adjust your dosage of Vraylar if you are taking certain medications. These include CYP3A4 inducers or CYP3A4 inhibitors. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the medications you take.

If you have serious liver or kidney problems, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vraylar. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these problems.

* CYP3A4 inducers and CYP3A4 inhibitors can affect the level of CYP3A4 in your body. CYP3A4 is a liver enzyme (type of protein) that helps remove certain medications from your body.

Vraylar comes as a capsule that you swallow.

You’ll likely take Vraylar once daily with or without food.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Vraylar in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

It’s unknown if Vraylar causes drug dependence or if it could be misused. (With drug dependence, your body needs a medication for it to feel right. Misuse is taking a drug in a way other than how your doctor prescribes it.)

Drug dependence and misuse weren’t studied in clinical trials of Vraylar. So, it’s unknown what effects Vraylar may cause if it’s misused.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Vraylar misuse.

If you take more Vraylar than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you do not take more Vraylar than your doctor advises.

Symptoms of an overdose

Overdose symptoms of Vraylar can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Vraylar

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Vraylar. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Vraylar 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 Vraylar without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Vraylar that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

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

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.