Cariprazine
Description
Cariprazine is an antipsychotic medication that is used in the treatment of Schizophrenia (a disorder that affects your ability to think, feel and behave clearly). and Bipolar disorder (a medical condition in which the person may have extreme mood swings like depression and emotional highs) in adults. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.
Cariprazine may cause side effects like headache, fever, muscle stiffness, loss of balance, nervousness, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects disturb you or persist for a longer period. Cariprazine may also cause dizziness and blurred vision. Hence, it is advised to avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking the medicine. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Cariprazine may be taken with or without food as per your doctor's instructions. The dose of medicine and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your medical condition and also other health problems. Do not stop/discontinue Cariprazine on your own or without consulting your doctor as it can recur your symptoms leading to the worsening of your condition.
Cariprazine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor about your underlying conditions like severe liver problems or kidney problems and also your medication history as this medicine may worsen your health condition. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before taking Cariprazine, as this medicine is known to cause harm to the foetus.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Cariprazine
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Loss of balance
- Muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- Restlessness
- Bladder pain
- Increased thirst
- Weight gain
- Sore throat
- Double vision
- Difficulty in speaking
- Stomach upset
- Skin rash, hives, or itching
Uses of Cariprazine
What is it prescribed for?
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Cariprazine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Cariprazine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Cariprazine due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Cariprazine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Cariprazine may cause severe side effects in your foetus and hence this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Cariprazine passes into breastmilk and may cause side effects in your infant. Hence If you are breastfeeding, avoid taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Cariprazine if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any allergic symptoms such as skin rash, redness and/or itching, sneezing, breathing difficulty, etc after taking this medicine.
Severe liver impairment
Severe liver impairment is a condition of reduced liver function. Cariprazine is not recommended as this medicine may further damage your liver and worsen your condition.
Severe kidney impairment
Cariprazine is not recommended for use if you have severe kidney impairment as Cariprazine may increase the risk of serious side effects leading to worsening of your health condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Cariprazine may cause severe side effects in your foetus and hence this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless necessary.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Cariprazine passes into breastmilk and may cause side effects in your infant. Hence If you are breastfeeding, avoid taking this medicine.
General warnings
Lipid alterations
Cariprazine may alter lipid (fats) levels in your body. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise a blood test to check lipid levels.
Use in children
Cariprazine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age, as the safety and efficacy date of use are not clinically established.
Driving or operating machines
Cariprazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision. Hence, it is advised to avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine.
Hypersensitivity reactions
Cariprazine may cause hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rash, pruritus, urticaria, hives, and angioedema (swelling of the tongue, lips, face, etc.).
Withdrawal symptoms
Abrupt discontinuation of Cariprazine may increase the risk of severe side effects, especially if you have been using a high dose for a long duration. Your doctor may recommend a gradual dose reduction to minimize these reactions. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Cariprazine. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more dose than that is prescribed by your doctor. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Cariprazine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with Cariprazine due to the increased risk of severe side effects such as dizziness, difficulty in concentration, impaired judgment, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Ciprofloxacin
Atenolol
Cimetidine
Ketoconazole
Disease interactions
Tardive Dyskinesia
Cariprazine should be used with caution if you have tardive dyskinesia (a condition of involuntary repetitive body movements), as it may worsen your health condition.
Dementia
Cariprazine is not recommended for use if you have dementia-related psychosis as it may increase the risk of heart failure or infectious diseases like Pneumonia. This risk is especially high in the geriatric population. Your doctor may recommend replacement with a suitable alternative based on your clinical condition.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic drugs.
Cariprazine should be used with extreme caution if you have any known history of a neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) as it may increase the risk of severe side effects.
Seizures
If you have any history of seizures (fits), Cariprazine should be used with caution as it may increase your risk of a seizure attack or worsen your health condition.
Diabetes Mellitus
Take Cariprazine with caution if you have diabetes (high blood sugar levels), as this medicine may alter your blood glucose levels. Your doctor may suggest a blood test during the treatment to monitor your blood sugar levels.
Hypotension
Cariprazine should be used with caution if you have hypotension (low blood pressure) due to the increased risk of worsening your health condition.
Food interactions
Consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice during treatment with Cariprazine is not recommended due to the risk of severe side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Cariprazine is used in the treatment of Schizophrenia. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food.
Do not take more than the prescribed amount of Cariprazine. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects.
Avoid discontinuation of Cariprazine before completion of the course/without consulting your doctor as it may revert your psychiatric symptoms and worsen your health condition.
Avoid drinking alcohol, driving vehicles or operating machines after taking Cariprazine as it causes blurred vision or dizziness.
Inform your doctor if you have liver, heart and kidney problems if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before taking Cariprazine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Cariprazine works by binding to certain receptors and inhibiting the release of the chemical substances that cause psychotic symptoms.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Atypical antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Cariprazine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2020 [cited 30 April 2020]. Available from:
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2020 [cited 30 April 2020]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2020 [cited 30 April 2020]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ema.europa.eu. 2020 [cited 30 April 2020]. Available from:
[Internet]. Vraylar.com. 2020 [cited 30 April 2020]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Feb 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.