Uses
What is Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) used for?
Rexulti® is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.
Rexulti® is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Rexulti® is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
How should I take Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Take Rexulti® exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. You may get dehydrated easily while taking Rexulti®.
You should not stop using Rexulti® suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Rexulti® may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking this medicine.
How do I store Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Rexulti® is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Rexulti® in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Rexulti® that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.
You should not flush Rexulti® down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Precautions & warnings
What should I know before using Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Before using this drug, tell your doctor if:
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because, while you are expecting or feeding a baby, you should only take medicines on the recommendation of a doctor.
- You are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
- You have allergy with any of active or inactive ingredients of Rexulti® or other medications.
- You have any other illnesses, disorders, or medical conditions.
Rexulti® is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Rexulti® may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
You should not use Rexulti® if you are allergic to brexpiprazole.
To make sure Rexulti® is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- High cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
- Heart disease, high or low blood pressure
- A history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts
- A history of heart attack or stroke
- A history of seizures, head injury or brain tumor
- A personal or family history of diabetes or high blood sugar
- Trouble swallowing
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking an antidepressant. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There isn’t enough information about the safety of using Rexulti® during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Rexulti®.
Side effects
What side effects can occur from Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Rexulti®: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
High doses or long-term use of Rexulti® can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take Rexulti, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women and older adults.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- Severe agitation, distress, or restless feeling
- A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
- Trouble swallowing
- Feelings of warmth, intolerance to heat
- Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself
- Twitching or uncontrolled muscle movements
- A seizure (convulsions)
- High blood sugar – increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, weight loss
- Low blood cell counts – sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, red or swollen gums, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing
- A severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out
Common side effects may include:
- Weight gain
- Feeling restless or being unable to sit still
Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions
What drugs may interact with Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Rexulti® may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.
Products that may interact with this drug are:
- An antibiotic or antifungal medicine
- An antidepressant
- Antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or HIV
- Heart rhythm medicine
- Seizure medicine
Does food or alcohol interact with Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Rexulti® may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.
What health conditions may interact with Rexulti® (brexpiprazole)?
Rexulti® may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.
Dosage
The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Rexulti® (brexpiprazole).
What is the dose of Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) for an adult?
Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
The recommended starting dosage for Rexulti® as adjunctive treatment is 0.5 mg or 1 mg once daily, taken orally with or without food.
Titrate to 1 mg once daily, then up to the target dosage of 2 mg once daily. Dosage increases should occur at weekly intervals based on the patient’s clinical response and tolerability. The maximum recommended daily dosage is 3 mg. Periodically reassess to determine the continued need and appropriate dosage for treatment.
Treatment of Schizophrenia
The recommended starting dosage for Rexulti® is 1 mg once daily on Days 1 to 4, taken orally with or without food.
The recommended target Rexulti® dosage is 2 mg to 4 mg once daily. Titrate to 2 mg once daily on Day 5 through Day 7, then to 4 mg on Day 8 based on the patient’s clinical response and tolerability. The maximum recommended daily dosage is 4 mg.
What is the dose of Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) for a child?
The dosage has not been established in pediatric patients. It may be unsafe for your child. It is always important to fully understand the safety of the drug before using. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How is Rexulti® (brexpiprazole) available?
Rexulti® is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:
- Tablet: brexpiprazole 0.25mg
What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?
In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose of Rexulti®, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.
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