Does Vraylar Cause Weight Gain? Its Side Effects Explained!

Vraylar, what is it?

FDA-approved brand-name drug under the name “Vraylar” is used to treat specific adult mental health conditions:

Manic or mixed bipolar I episode types. Mania (high mood) episodes may continue at least 7 days and can be so severe that you need hospital treatment if you have bipolar I disorder.

They are referred to as manic episodes. A mixed episode occurs when you experience both maniacal and depressive (low mood) symptoms at the same time. Manic or mixed episodes are treated acutely with vraylar. Short term is denoted by “acute.”

Bipolar type I depressive episodes. Bipolar I disorder sufferers with depressive episodes may also benefit from the use of Vraylar. Bipolar depression is one name for these episodes.

Schizophrenia. Hallucinations—the experience of seeing or hearing things that aren’t actually there—can be psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Delusions are false beliefs in which you may also be suffering.

Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, of which Vraylar is one, are medications that include the active component cariprazine. Your mindset, behaviour, and mood can all be enhanced by it.

You take a capsule of Vraylar to receive it. The medicine will probably be taken once daily by you. Four different strengths of Vraylar are offered: 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, and 6 mg.

Vraylar is a prohibited substance, right?

Vraylar is not a prohibited substance, no.

Drugs that have a high likelihood of being misused are classified as controlled substances. Additionally, there is a considerable possibility that users will develop drug dependence. (If you are drug dependent, your body requires the drug to feel normal.) There are specific guidelines regarding the prescription and dispensing of prohibited medications because of these concerns. These dangers are absent in Vraylar.

Effectiveness

In clinical studies, vraylar was found to be efficient in treating schizophrenia. Clinical investigations revealed that the medication is also beneficial in treating manic, mixed, and depressing episodes of bipolar I disorder.

What is the potential weight gain from taking Vraylar?

vraylar weight gain

  • In clinical trials, patients with schizophrenia experienced an average weight gain of 2.2 lbs (1.0 kg) after 6 weeks of therapy with Vraylar, compared to 0.7 lbs for those receiving a placebo (0.3kg). According to long-term findings from clinical trials, following 12, 24, and 48 weeks of Vraylar medication, patients with schizophrenia on average gained 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg), and 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg), respectively.
  • In clinical trials, bipolar depression patients who took Vraylar for 6 or 8 weeks on average gained 1.2 lbs (0.5 kg) of weight on average, whereas those who took a placebo lost 0.2 lbs on average (0.1kg).
  • In clinical trials, bipolar mania patients experienced an average weight gain of 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) after three weeks of treatment with Vraylar, compared to those receiving a placebo, who gained 0.4 lbs (0.2kg).

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In terms of weight gain, how does Vraylar compare?

Weight gain is not a side effect of Vraylar that is particularly troublesome, according to a global panel of specialists with practical experience using it. Additionally, they observed that compared to other antipsychotics, weight gain was less of a problematic side effect that led to treatment cessation with Vraylar.

Symptoms of Vraylar

Side effects from vraylar can range from minor to severe. Some of the most significant adverse effects of using Vraylar are listed in the lists that follow. Not all potential adverse effects are covered in these lists.

It’s possible that some adverse effects won’t manifest themselves for a few weeks after you start taking Vraylar or for a few weeks after any dose increases.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details on Vraylar’s potential adverse effects. If any side effects are bothersome, they can offer you advice on how to handle them.

Small Negative Consequences

vraylar weight gain

Vraylar may cause certain minor adverse effects, such as:*

  • uncontrollable muscle twitches, jerks, or twists of the arms, legs, head, neck, tongue, or facial muscles.
  • moving slowly or with difficulty
  • muscular tenseness
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • more saliva being produced
  • indigestion (upset stomach)
  • constipation
  • an increase in weight
  • I want to sleep.
  • akathisia† (feeling uncomfortably restless and unable to sit or stand still)
  • vomiting and diarrhea
  • In a few days or weeks, the majority of these adverse effects may disappear. Converse with your doctor or pharmacist, though, if they worsen or persist.

A short list of Vraylar’s moderate side effects is provided here. Visit Vraylar’s Medica­tion Guide or speak with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about other mild side effects. People with schizophrenia and those who have bipolar I disorder may experience slightly different side effects.

See “Adverse effect details” below for further information on these side effects.

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Negative Consequences

Vraylar can have serious adverse effects, however, they are uncommon. If you experience severe side effects, contact your doctor straight away. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency or that your symptoms are life-threatening, dial 911.

Considerable negative impacts include:

  • Low orthostatic pressure (drop in blood pressure when getting up). Among the symptoms are:
  • getting up too soon and experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness
  • fainting
  • difficulties managing your body’s temperature, particularly in hot temperatures or when exercising. Among the symptoms are:
  • dry, warm skin
  • a lack of sweat
  • heatstroke (overheating)
  • the malignant neuroleptic syndrome (a rare, severe reaction that can occur with antipsychotic drugs). Among the symptoms are:
  • extreme fever
  • sweating
  • tense muscles
  • drowsiness
  • confusion
  • breathing quickly
  • quick heartbeat
  • insufficient white blood cell count. Among the symptoms are:
  • fever
  • throat pain
  • mouth sores (painful spots in your mouth)
  • mouth and gum pain
  • diabetes and elevated blood sugar. Among the symptoms are:
  • more appetite and thirst
  • increased frequency of urination
  • feeling ill or worn out
  • vision difficulty
  • breath with a fruity aroma
  • high amounts of blood lipids like triglycerides and cholesterol.
  • Seizures. Among the symptoms are:
  • uncontrolled twitching of the muscles
  • then lose consciousness and become disoriented
  • falling
  • difficulty swallowing, which can result in aspiration (breathing food or liquid into your airway).
  • Falls risk as a result of side effects such as lightheadedness, drowsiness, and coordination or mobility issues.
  • Symptom of an allergy.
  • tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements of the body that appear after taking the drug for a long time).
  • †Dementia-related increased mortality risk in older persons with psychosis.
  • ideas and actions that lead to suicide.

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