Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain conditions, such as schizophrenia. Rexulti comes as an oral tablet.

Rexulti is used to treat the following:

Note that for the type of agitation the drug is prescribed to treat, Rexulti is meant to be taken daily. It should not be taken as needed (that is, only on occasions when a person is experiencing agitation).

To learn more about Rexulti’s uses, see the “Is Rexulti used for depression?” and “Is Rexulti used for other conditions?” sections below.

Rexulti basics

Rexulti contains the active ingredient brexpiprazole. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Rexulti is not available as a generic drug.

Like most drugs, Rexulti may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects. These lists don’t include all possible side effects. To learn more about Rexulti’s side effects, see this article. Also, your doctor or pharmacist can provide complete side effect information about Rexulti.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you may be taking

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Rexulti. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Rexulti can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Rexulti’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Rexulti that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Rexulti can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Rexulti, call your doctor right away. However, if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Rexulti that have been reported include:

Note: If you have symptoms of a serious side effect such as NMS, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

* For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Rexulti may cause.

Boxed warnings

Rexulti has boxed warnings. These are serious warnings about a medication from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rexulti’s boxed warnings are described below.

Risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia. Typically, Rexulti should not be used in older adults (ages 65 years and older) who have psychosis related to dementia. But Rexulti may be prescribed to older adults with this condition for treating agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. (For more information about this use, see the “Is Rexulti used for other conditions?” section below.)

With psychosis, you may experience impaired mental well-being. Symptoms can include:

With dementia, you have changes in your mental status. These changes can include:

  • memory loss
  • alterations in your language, thinking, speech, or behavior

Rexulti may increase the risk of death in older people who have psychosis related to dementia. Causes of death in studies of older people with this condition were mainly due to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems or infections.

Risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Antidepressant medications can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and adults ages 24 years and younger. Rexulti isn’t considered an antidepressant (it’s classified as an atypical antipsychotic). But it’s used to treat depression together with an antidepressant.

Rexulti is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating depression in children. But it may be prescribed to children ages 13 years and older for schizophrenia.

If you’ve ever had thoughts of self-harm, talk with your doctor before taking Rexulti. They can discuss the risks of Rexulti treatment with you.

What might help

It’s not clear why Rexulti may increase the risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia. Keep in mind that other things can affect this risk. This includes having other health conditions or taking other medications. If you’re concerned about this risk, ask your doctor about the safety of taking Rexulti.

Rexulti can also increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. This risk is higher in people who have had a mental health condition, such as depression and bipolar disorder.

Be sure to share your medical history with your doctor before taking Rexulti. Tell them your health history, including whether you’ve had any suicidal thoughts or behaviors in the past.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Weight gain

It’s possible to have weight gain while you’re taking Rexulti. But how much weight you may gain with Rexulti can vary based on:

  • your metabolism (the chemical processes happening inside your body)
  • your diet
  • how long you’re taking Rexulti

Studies have shown that weight gain is a common side effect of brexpiprazole, which is the active ingredient in Rexulti. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

What might help

Talk with your doctor about weight changes that can happen with Rexulti and what you can expect with treatment.

If you’re concerned about weight gain, ask your doctor about lifestyle changes to help you maintain a healthy weight with Rexulti. If you are bothered by weight gain with the drug, do not suddenly stop taking Rexulti. Doing so may worsen symptoms you were using the drug to treat.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Rexulti. While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Rexulti, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause you to have trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Rexulti. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Rexulti that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

For additional details on Rexulti’s dosages, see this article.

Form and strengths

Rexulti comes as oral tablets. It’s available in these strengths:

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

Recommended dosages

Your dosage of Rexulti will depend on:

  • the condition you’re taking Rexulti to treat
  • your age
  • how well your body responds to the drug
  • other medications you may be taking
  • any side effects that you may have from Rexulti
  • other health conditions you have, such as liver or kidney problems, or how well your body breaks down certain medications

The dosages of Rexulti discussed in the next sections are prescribed to adults. For dosages prescribed to children, see the “Children’s dosage” section below.

Dosage for depression

For depression, you’ll take Rexulti once each day, along with another depression medication.

Your doctor will start you on a low dose of Rexulti, such as 0.5 mg, and they’ll monitor your body’s response to treatment. After your first few weeks of treatment, your doctor will likely increase your Rexulti dosage.

The maximum dosage of Rexulti for depression is 3 mg once daily.

Dosage for schizophrenia

For schizophrenia, you’ll take a low dose, usually 1 mg, of Rexulti once daily on days 1–4 of treatment. Then your doctor will increase your daily dose to 2 mg for days 5–7. If needed, they may increase your daily dose more, starting on day 8.

The maximum dosage for schizophrenia is 4 mg once daily.

Dosage for agitation

For agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll take a low dose, usually 0.5 mg, of Rexulti once daily for days 1–7 of treatment. Then your doctor will increase your daily dose to 1 mg for days 8–14 of treatment. If needed, they may increase your daily dose more, starting on day 15.

The maximum dosage for agitation is 3 mg once daily.

Children’s dosage

Doctors may prescribe Rexulti for treating schizophrenia in children ages 13 years and older. For this purpose, your child will take a low dose, usually 0.5 mg, of Rexulti once daily for 4 days. Then their doctor will increase their daily dose to 1 mg for days 5–7. If needed, they may increase your child’s daily dose more, starting on day 8.

The maximum children’s dosage for schizophrenia is 4 mg once daily.

Rexulti is a tablet that you take by swallowing.

Taking Rexulti with other drugs

For depression, Rexulti is taken together with an antidepressant. Examples of antidepressant drugs that may be used with Rexulti include:

For schizophrenia, Rexulti may be taken on its own or with other drugs. For agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, Rexulti is typically taken on its own.

Talk with your doctor to learn about your treatment plan and recommended medications.

Questions about taking Rexulti

Here’s a list of common questions related to taking Rexulti.

  • What if I miss a dose of Rexulti? If you miss a dose of Rexulti, take it as soon as you remember. But do not double up on your next dose. Doing so can increase the risk of side effects from Rexulti. If it’s close to when you’d take your next dose, just skip the missed dose. Then take your usual dose at your regular time. You can also try using a reminder tool to stay on track with your doses.
  • Will I need to use Rexulti long term? There’s no specific timeline for using Rexulti. You and your doctor will discuss your treatment plan. If Rexulti is working to reduce your symptoms, you may take it long term.
  • Can Rexulti be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should take Rexulti tablets whole. Crushing, chewing, or splitting the tablets may change how they work in your body. If you have trouble swallowing pills, try these tips, or talk with your pharmacist about suggestions for taking Rexulti.
  • Should I take Rexulti with food? You can take Rexulti with or without food. Eating around the time of your doses doesn’t change how the drug works in your body.
  • How long does Rexulti take to work? It may take a few days to several weeks for Rexulti to start reducing your symptoms. How quickly the drug works depends on individual factors, such as your condition and how your body responds to Rexulti. Ask your doctor what you can expect with treatment.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Rexulti and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions like:
    • How will Rexulti affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Rexulti and Abilify both belong to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These are newer drugs that have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotic drugs (called first-generation antipsychotics).

Rexulti and Abilify have some similar uses and effects, but they also have some differences. For instance, Rexulti contains the active ingredient brexpiprazole, while Abilify contains the active ingredient aripiprazole. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Rexulti and Abilify are used to treat depression and schizophrenia. But both drugs are also used to treat other conditions.

Rexulti comes as an oral tablet. Abilify comes in several forms, including an oral tablet. Other forms include:

  • Abilify MyCite, an oral tablet with sensor
  • Abilify Maintena and Abilify Asimtufii, extended-release liquid suspensions* for injection into muscle

To learn more about these two drugs, see this side-by-side comparison. And be sure to talk with your doctor if you’d like to know which drug may be right for you.

* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time. And “liquid suspension” is a type of liquid mixture.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Rexulti.

Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Rexulti?

No, you won’t. Rexulti doesn’t cause physical dependence, so stopping it suddenly doesn’t lead to withdrawal. (With dependence, your body needs a drug in order to feel like it usually does. Suddenly stopping a drug you’re dependent on can lead to withdrawal, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms.)

But suddenly stopping Rexulti could worsen symptoms you were using the drug to treat. So you should not suddenly stop taking Rexulti.

If you want or need to stop taking Rexulti, talk with your doctor. They’ll instruct you on how to stop Rexulti treatment to help avoid or decrease worsening symptoms.

Is Rexulti used for anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage for anxiety?

No, Rexulti is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for anxiety. The drug may be used off-label for anxiety, but there are other treatments for anxiety that the FDA has approved. (With off-label use, a drug is used to treat conditions other than those it’s been approved for.)

You can also ask your doctor for information about using Rexulti for anxiety, including the typical dosage given.

Also, keep in mind that in rare cases, Rexulti can cause anxiety as a side effect. If you’re having anxiety during Rexulti treatment, talk with your doctor. They can discuss options with you to help manage your anxiety.

Does Rexulti treat bipolar disorder?

No, Rexulti is not approved by the FDA for bipolar disorder. The drug may be used off-label for this condition. But there are other medications approved for bipolar disorder that may be better options. (With off-label use, a drug is used to treat conditions other than those it’s been approved to treat.)

Your doctor can tell you more about how Rexulti works. They can also provide information about other treatment options for bipolar disorder.

How does Rexulti compare with the alternative drugs Vraylar and Seroquel?

Rexulti, Vraylar, and Seroquel work in similar ways. They all belong to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These medications are newer drugs that have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotic drugs (called first-generation antipsychotics).

These medications each contain a different active ingredient, as listed below. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

  • Rexulti: brexpiprazole
  • Vraylar: cariprazine
  • Seroquel: quetiapine

Rexulti is used to treat depression, schizophrenia, and agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. (For depression, Rexulti is taken together with an antidepressant.) Rexulti comes as oral tablets.

Vraylar comes as an oral capsule. It’s used to treat:

Seroquel comes as oral tablets. It’s used to treat depression in bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder, manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, and schizophrenia. Another form of this drug called Seroquel XR is available. This is an extended-release tablet that is prescribed for the same conditions as Seroquel. But it also treats depression when taken together with an antidepressant.

For some uses, doctors may prescribe Rexulti or Seroquel to certain children. Vraylar is typically only prescribed to adults.

If you’d like more information about how these medications compare with one another, talk with your doctor. They can discuss all your treatment options and the benefits and risks of each drug.

What’s the half-life of Rexulti? And how long does it stay in your system?

Rexulti’s active ingredient brexpiprazole has a half-life of 91 hours. This means it takes 91 hours for half of a dose of brexpiprazole to be cleared from your body.

In general, it takes about four to five half-lives for a full dose of a drug to be fully cleared from your body.

How long a drug stays in your system can vary based on personal factors. These include your genetic makeup and how well your liver and kidneys are working. Rexulti can stay in your body for several days.

How does Rexulti work?

Rexulti’s exact mechanism of action isn’t known. (A drug’s mechanism of action describes how it works.)

But this type of medication is thought to work by regulating certain neurotransmitters in your brain. (Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals.)

Specifically, Rexulti is thought to work on dopamine and serotonin. It’s believed this drug works by balancing these chemicals to help reduce symptoms of the conditions it treats.

If you have depression, your doctor may discuss Rexulti with you. To learn more about its use for depression, read on. For information about other conditions Rexulti is prescribed to treat, see the section directly below.

Rexulti is used in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD), which is also commonly called depression.

Brief periods of sadness are natural for everyone. But with depression, you have ongoing, intense feelings of sadness. These feelings affect your quality of life, sleep, and other aspects of your life.

For MDD, Rexulti is prescribed together with an antidepressant. This is considered combination therapy.

Rexulti belongs to a group of drugs called second-generation antipsychotics, also called atypical antipsychotics. These are newer drugs that have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotic drugs. It’s thought that Rexulti works for depression by helping to balance certain chemicals in your brain.

For more information, talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of using Rexulti for MDD.

If you have schizophrenia or agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, your doctor may discuss Rexulti with you. (Rexulti is also prescribed to treat depression. To learn more about this use, see the section directly above.)

Rexulti for schizophrenia

Rexulti is used to treat schizophrenia, which is a complex mental health condition. For this purpose, doctors prescribe the drug to adults and children ages 13 years and older.

Schizophrenia has varying symptoms, including:

Studies show that people with schizophrenia have imbalances in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It’s thought that Rexulti works by regulating levels of two neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin.

Your doctor can provide more information to you about the benefits and risks of Rexulti use for schizophrenia.

Rexulti for agitation

Rexulti is used to treat agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease in adults.

With agitation, you have feelings of restlessness, irritability, and worry. Many things can cause agitation, such as being in stressful situations, taking certain medications, or having certain medical conditions.

Doctors prescribe Rexulti to treat agitation specifically resulting from dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a condition that causes problems with thinking, memory, and communication. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that worsens over time. It’s usually diagnosed in adults ages 65 years and older.

For this use, Rexulti is meant to be taken daily. It should not be taken only as needed (that is, only on occasions when a person is experiencing agitation).

It’s unknown how Rexulti works to treat agitation. It’s thought that the drug’s regulation of levels of two neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), dopamine and serotonin, may help ease agitation.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

There isn’t a Rexulti manufacturer coupon available, but see below for Optum Perks* coupon options in your area. You can also visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Rexulti when using coupons from the site.

For more information about Rexulti and cost, see this article. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Rexulti manufacturer’s website to learn about support options. For example, it offers a savings card that you may be eligible for.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline. Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Save on Rexulti with Optum Perks

Save on Rexulti without insurance.

Enter your information:

Location

47201

Dosage

2mg rexulti (30 Tablets)

Save on Rexulti

Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy and instantly save without using insurance. The coupon doesn't expire so be sure to save it for use with refills.

Find your pharmacy
advertisement
SEE MORE RESULTS

Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.

Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.

Pricing source:Perks.optum.com

optum-logo
Was this helpful?

Talk with your doctor about all your medications and any other health conditions you have before starting treatment with Rexulti.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney or heart problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides. And let them know if you’ve ever had seizures or any other medical problems.

Additionally, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or planning to breastfeed while taking Rexulti. Antipsychotics, such as Rexulti, may increase certain risks if used in pregnancy.

These and other considerations are described below.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Rexulti, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Rexulti.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Rexulti can interact with several types of drugs. Rexulti is broken down in your liver by certain enzymes (types of proteins). If you take drugs with Rexulti that are also broken down by these enzymes, the drugs may interact and cause side effects.

Some types of drugs can increase the effects of Rexulti. In this case, your doctor may need to lower the dose of Rexulti to lessen your risk of adverse reactions. Examples of these drugs include:

Certain other drugs can reduce the effects of Rexulti by clearing it faster than usual from your body. In this case, your doctor may need to increase your dose of Rexulti. Some examples of these drugs include:

This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with Rexulti. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur when using Rexulti.

Other interactions

Rexulti may also interact with herbs and supplements.

For example, St. John’s wort, which some people take to ease symptoms of depression, may reduce the effects of Rexulti. Do not take this herb with Rexulti. Tell your doctor if you were taking this herb before starting treatment with Rexulti.

Boxed warnings

Rexulti has boxed warnings. These are serious warnings about a medication from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Rexulti’s boxed warnings are described below.

Risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia. Typically, Rexulti should not be used in older adults (ages 65 years and older) who have psychosis related to dementia. (With psychosis, you lose touch with reality. And with dementia, you have changes in your mental status.) This is because Rexulti can increase the risk of death in older adults with this condition.

But Rexulti may be prescribed to older adults with dementia-related psychosis for treating agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. (For more information about this use, see the “Is Rexulti used for other conditions?” section above.)

Risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Using antidepressant medications in children and adults ages 24 years and younger can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Rexulti isn’t considered an antidepressant (it’s classified as an atypical antipsychotic). But it’s used to treat depression together with an antidepressant.

While doctors do not prescribe Rexulti to children for depression, they may prescribe the drug to some children for schizophrenia.

For more information about these warnings, see the “What are Rexulti’s side effects?” section above.

Other warnings

Rexulti may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Rexulti. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Liver problems. If you have problems with your liver or serious liver disease, your doctor may adjust your dose of Rexulti. Be sure to tell your doctor about any history of liver-related problems.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Rexulti or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely will not prescribe Rexulti. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Poor metabolism of certain drugs, including Rexulti. Certain people’s bodies have trouble breaking down medications such as Rexulti because of genetic factors. This means the drug may last longer in their body and cause side effects. Your doctor will check whether your body has trouble metabolizing Rexulti. If needed, your doctor may adjust your dose of the drug.
  • Kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, you may need a lower dose of Rexulti. Your doctor will check your kidney function to decide the best dose of Rexulti for you.
  • Diabetes. Taking Rexulti may increase blood sugar levels in certain people. If you have diabetes, you may be at higher risk of this side effect. Rexulti can increase blood sugar to dangerous levels and cause diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma. In rare cases, this can be fatal. You may need to monitor your blood sugar level more often than usual when using Rexulti. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor whether Rexulti is safe for you to take.
  • Heart or blood pressure problems. Rexulti can cause orthostatic hypotension. This condition can cause dizziness or fainting. Rexulti may also increase the risk of stroke in older people with psychosis related to dementia. If you have heart or blood pressure problems, ask your doctor whether it’s safe for you to use Rexulti. Additionally, it’s important to avoid dehydration while taking the drug. Being dehydrated can increase your risk of low blood pressure.
  • Seizures. Taking Rexulti may increase your risk of seizures. The risk is higher for people with a seizure disorder or with older age. Talk with your doctor about your health history to see whether Rexulti is safe for you.
  • Cholesterol problems. Rexulti can increase lipids in people who have high cholesterol or triglycerides. Your doctor may check your lipid levels before you start Rexulti treatment and during treatment with the drug.
  • Low white blood cell count. Rexulti may cause low levels of white blood cells. If you already have low white blood cell counts, you may be at a higher risk of this side effect. Symptoms of low white blood cell count can include fever and infection. If needed, your doctor will order blood tests for you before you start taking Rexulti. Talk with your doctor to see whether you’ll need to have your blood cell levels checked.
  • Trouble regulating your body temperature. Rexulti can make it harder for your body to regulate its temperature. For example, it may be harder for you to cool down after exercising. If you already have a condition that causes trouble with regulating your body temperature, be sure to tell your doctor. This will help them determine whether Rexulti is a safe option for you.
  • Falls. Taking Rexulti can cause problems with your blood pressure, which could lead to dizziness and falls. If you’re already at risk of falls due to medications you take or conditions you have, Rexulti may increase your risk. Talk with your doctor about your risk of falls before you take Rexulti.
  • Driving or operating heavy machinery. Rexulti can cause delayed thinking or reflexes, even excessive sleepiness. If you drive often or work with heavy machinery, make sure you aren’t experiencing these side effects before resuming your usual routine. Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects. They can determine whether it’s safe to take continue taking Rexulti and how to help manage certain side effects.

Use with alcohol

Drinking alcohol with Rexulti may increase your risk of certain side effects.

For example, Rexulti can cause sleepiness and certain movement problems. And drinking alcohol may make these side effects worse. Taking Rexulti and drinking alcohol may also affect your liver function.

If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor whether it’s safe to do so during Rexulti treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There’s no specific information about the risks of Rexulti use during pregnancy.

But some data shows that similar drugs taken during the third trimester of pregnancy increase the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms in infants exposed to them. (Extrapyramidal symptoms refers to drug-related movement disorders.)

Taking Rexulti during the third trimester of pregnancy may also increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms in infants exposed to the drug. Examples of withdrawal symptoms can include:

  • tremors
  • trouble breathing
  • agitation
  • sleepiness
  • trouble feeding

Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits of taking Rexulti during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Rexulti, tell your doctor right away.

If you do use Rexulti during pregnancy, consider signing up for the pregnancy registry available for medications called atypical antipsychotics. (Keep in mind that Rexulti is an atypical antipsychotic.) You can either call 866-961-2388 or visit the registry website to learn more.

It’s not known whether Rexulti is safe to use while breastfeeding. The drug may pass into breast milk and cause side effects for a child who is breastfed.

Ask your doctor about the risks of taking Rexulti if you plan to breastfeed. They can recommend whether you should stop breastfeeding while taking this drug.

Rexulti and Latuda have some similarities and differences. They belong to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. These medications are newer drugs that have fewer serious side effects than older antipsychotic drugs (called first-generation antipsychotics).

Rexulti and Latuda have different active ingredients. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Rexulti contains the active ingredient brexpiprazole, while Latuda contains the active ingredient lurasidone hydrochloride.

These medications are both used to treat schizophrenia in adults and certain children.

Rexulti is also used in adults to treat depression when taken with an antidepressant and agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. And Latuda is also used to treat depression in bipolar I disorder in adults and some children. For this use, doctors may also prescribe lithium (Lithobid) or valproate with Latuda for adults.

See this detailed comparison of Rexulti and Latuda for more information. And check with your doctor about which drug they recommend for your condition.

Do not take more Rexulti than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects. For a list of Rexulti’s possible side effects, see the “What are Rexulti’s side effects?” section above.

What to do in case you take too much Rexulti

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Rexulti. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Several treatment options are available for depression, schizophrenia, and agitation caused by dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Rexulti is one option your doctor may discuss with you. For more information about these conditions, see the “Is Rexulti used for depression?” and “Is Rexulti used for other conditions?” sections above.

Ask your doctor about the pros and cons of treatment with Rexulti, and what you can expect while taking it. Here are a few questions to help you get started:

To learn more about Rexulti, see these articles:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

Will I need to stop taking Rexulti if I’m taking an antibiotic for an infection?

Anonymous

A:

Maybe. It depends on the antibiotic your doctor prescribes to treat your infection. But most antibiotics are OK to take with Rexulti.

Some types of drugs can increase the effects of Rexulti. This includes certain antibiotics.

If you’re prescribed an antibiotic that increases your risk of side effects from Rexulti, your doctor may have you temporarily stop taking Rexulti until your infection clears.

Examples of antibiotics that can interact with Rexulti include:

Keep in mind that if you’re prescribed a medication that you’ll apply topically, such as erythromycin eye ointment, it likely won’t interact with Rexulti.

If your doctor or dentist prescribes an antibiotic to treat an infection, make sure they’re aware that you’re taking Rexulti. They can check for any drug interactions and recommend a treatment that’s safe for you.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.

Rexulti Images