Cariprazine belongs to a class of medications known as atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. It is used to treat and prevent the return of symptoms in Schizophrenia and other mental health related conditions such as:
- Hearing, seeing or sensing things that are not real
- Having mistaken beliefs
- Uncontrolled anger
- Being overly suspicious
It can be used to treat symptoms in bipolar disorder such as:
- Elated mood
- Irritability
- Increased activity and energy
- Depression / low mood
Cariprazine may be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take the next dose at your usual timing. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
- You are taking any other medications including over-the-counter medications, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
- You have diabetes. Cariprazine may sometimes worsen blood sugar control in diabetes. Maintain regular check-ups with your doctor.
- You have or have ever had:
- Other drug allergies
- Medical conditions such as:
Blood disorders, kidney or liver disease, heart diseases, stroke, history of blood clots, high or low blood pressure
Visual impairment, dementia, seizures (fits), Parkinson’s disease, swallowing difficulties
Important Note:
In some cases, particularly in young people below the age of 25 years, this medication may cause the following changes to a person’s mental condition, especially in the first few weeks of treatment or during dose changes:
- New or worsening thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life
- Worsening agitation, restlessness, violent behaviour, or
- Other changes in mood or behaviour
Please inform your doctor as soon as possible, or for your family or caregiver to inform your doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Do not stop taking this medication on your own without discussing with your doctor.
It is important to note that your doctor has prescribed this medication as he/she feels you will benefit more from taking this medication over the possible risks that it may cause, which have a low chance of occurring, and most people take this medication without any of such problems.
The mentioned side effects generally affect up to 10% of patients.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Take the medication with or after food
- Take small but frequent meals and avoid fatty or spicy food - Constipation
- Drink more water (if not on fluid-restricted diet), eat more high-fibre foods, and exercise regularly
- Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you need a medication to help with your constipation - Feeling tired or drowsy
- Avoid driving, or engaging in activities requiring concentration
- Discuss with your doctor if you can take the medication at a different time of the day - Difficulty sleeping
- Discuss with your doctor if you can take this medication at a different time of the day
- Avoid daytime naps, listen to relaxing music at bedtime
- Avoid overeating or drinking before bedtime
- Limit caffeine intake at least 8 hours before bedtime - Dizziness
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down position - Increase in appetite, weight gain
- Observe healthy dietary habits and exercise regularly - Involuntary shaking of limbs (tremors) and/or restlessness or need to keep moving constantly (akathisia)
- Speak to your doctor if it affects your daily life
Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak to your doctor if they continue, get worse or are affecting your daily life.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
Rarely this medication may cause:
- Confusion, high fever, severe muscle stiffness, irregular blood pressure (signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
- Muscle movement side effects (extrapyramidal side effects):
- Muscle stiffness and spasms (such as in the face, neck and back), twitching or difficulty in speaking or swallowing (dystonia)
- Uncontrollable movements (such as in the face, tongue, jaw or other parts of the body) (tardive dyskinesia) - Seizures (fits)
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting episodes (signs and symptoms of an abnormal heart beating rhythm (prolonged QTc interval))
- Severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe pain or swelling in either of the legs (symptoms of venous thromboembolism)
- Fever, chills, sore throat and/or mouth ulcers that do not go away (symptoms of blood dyscrasias)
- Changes in vision or sensitivity to bright lights
If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop your medication and inform your healthcare professional immediately.
Please also take note that not all possible side effects are listed above. If you have any concerns about your medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
