(kar IP ra zeen)
Schizophrenia: Treatment of schizophrenia
Bipolar I disorder: Acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder
Hypersensitivity to cariprazine or any component of the formulation
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Cariprazine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Note: Due to the long half-life of cariprazine and its active metabolites, changes in dose will not be fully reflected in plasma for several weeks.
Bipolar I disorder: Oral: Initial: 1.5 mg once daily; adjust dose based on response and tolerability to 3 mg on day 2 and make further adjustments in increments of 1.5 or 3 mg. Recommended dosing range: 3 mg to 6 mg once daily. Maximum dose: 6 mg daily
Schizophrenia: Oral: Initial: 1.5 mg once daily; adjust dose based on response and tolerability to 3 mg on day 2 and make further adjustments in increments of 1.5 or 3 mg. Recommended dosing range: 1.5 mg to 6 mg once daily. Maximum dose: 6 mg daily
Dosage adjustment with concurrent CYP450 inducer or inhibitor therapy:
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitor initiated while on stable dose of cariprazine: Reduce the current dose of cariprazine by 50%. For patients taking 4.5 mg daily, reduce the dose to 1.5 mg or 3 mg daily. For patients taking 1.5 mg daily, adjust the dose to every other day. The cariprazine dose may need to be increased if the CYP3A4 inhibitor is withdrawn.
Initiating cariprazine therapy while already on a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor: Administer cariprazine 1.5 mg on day 1 and day 3 (no dose administered on day 2). Administer 1.5 mg daily starting on day 4 and increase to a maximum of 3 mg daily. The cariprazine dose may need to be increased if the CYP3A4 inhibitor is withdrawn.
Concomitant use of cariprazine and CYP3A4 inducers: Use is not recommended.
Refer to adult dosing.
CrCl ≥30 mL/minute: No dosage adjustment necessary.
CrCl <30 mL/minute: Use not recommended (has not been studied).
Mild to moderate impairment (Child-Pugh class A or B): No dosage adjustment necessary.
Severe impairment (Child-Pugh class C): Use not recommended (has not been studied).
Oral: Administer with or without food.
Store at 20 ‚ °C to 25 ‚ °C (68 ‚ °F to 77 ‚ °F); excursions permitted between 15 ‚ °C and 30 ‚ °C (59 ‚ °F and 86 ‚ °F). Protect 3 mg and 4.5 mg capsules from light to prevent color fading.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Capsule, Oral:
Vraylar: 1.5 mg
Vraylar: 3 mg, 4.5 mg [contains brilliant blue fcf (fd&c blue #1), fd&c red #40]
Vraylar: 6 mg [contains brilliant blue fcf (fd&c blue #1)]
Capsule Therapy Pack, Oral:
Vraylar: 1.5 mg (1) and 3 mg (6s) (7 ea) [contains brilliant blue fcf (fd&c blue #1), fd&c red #40]
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (Central): May enhance the neurotoxic (central) effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Severe extrapyramidal symptoms have occurred in some patients. Monitor therapy
Alcohol (Ethyl): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Alcohol (Ethyl). Monitor therapy
Amisulpride: Antipsychotic Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Amisulpride. Avoid combination
Amphetamines: Antipsychotic Agents may diminish the stimulatory effect of Amphetamines. Monitor therapy
Antidiabetic Agents: Hyperglycemia-Associated Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Antidiabetic Agents. Monitor therapy
Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist): Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Management: Consider using an alternative antipsychotic agent when possible in patients with Parkinson disease. If an atypical antipsychotic is necessary, consider using clozapine or quetiapine, which may convey the lowest interaction risk. Consider therapy modification
Aprepitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Azelastine (Nasal): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Azelastine (Nasal). Avoid combination
Blonanserin: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Blonanserin. Consider therapy modification
Blood Pressure Lowering Agents: May enhance the hypotensive effect of Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]). Monitor therapy
Bosentan: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Brimonidine (Topical): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Buprenorphine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Buprenorphine. Management: Consider reduced doses of other CNS depressants, and avoiding such drugs in patients at high risk of buprenorphine overuse/self-injection. Initiate buprenorphine patches (Butrans brand) at 5 mcg/hr in adults when used with other CNS depressants. Consider therapy modification
Cannabis: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
CNS Depressants: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Conivaptan: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inducers (Moderate): May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
CYP3A4 Inducers (Strong): May decrease the serum concentration of Cariprazine. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate): May decrease the metabolism of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Strong): May increase the serum concentration of Cariprazine. Management: Cariprazine dose reductions of 50% are required; specific recommended management varies slightly for those stable on cariprazine versus those just starting cariprazine. See prescribing information or full interaction monograph for details. Consider therapy modification
Dabrafenib: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Seek alternatives to the CYP3A4 substrate when possible. If concomitant therapy cannot be avoided, monitor clinical effects of the substrate closely (particularly therapeutic effects). Consider therapy modification
Dasatinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Deferasirox: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Dimethindene: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Doxylamine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: The manufacturer of Diclegis (doxylamine/pyridoxine), intended for use in pregnancy, specifically states that use with other CNS depressants is not recommended. Monitor therapy
Dronabinol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Droperidol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider dose reductions of droperidol or of other CNS agents (e.g., opioids, barbiturates) with concomitant use. Consider therapy modification
Flunitrazepam: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Flunitrazepam. Consider therapy modification
Fosaprepitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Fusidic Acid (Systemic): May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
HYDROcodone: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of HYDROcodone. Management: Consider starting with a 20% to 30% lower hydrocodone dose when using together with any other CNS depressant. Dose reductions in the other CNS depressant may also be warranted. Consider therapy modification
HydrOXYzine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Idelalisib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
Ivacaftor: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Kava Kava: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Lithium: May enhance the neurotoxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Lithium may decrease the serum concentration of Antipsychotic Agents. Specifically noted with chlorpromazine. Monitor therapy
Luliconazole: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Magnesium Sulfate: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Mequitazine: Antipsychotic Agents may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect of Mequitazine. Management: Consider alternatives to one of these agents when possible. While this combination is not specifically contraindicated, mequitazine labeling describes this combination as discouraged. Consider therapy modification
Methotrimeprazine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Methotrimeprazine. Methotrimeprazine may enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Reduce adult dose of CNS depressant agents by 50% with initiation of concomitant methotrimeprazine therapy. Further CNS depressant dosage adjustments should be initiated only after clinically effective methotrimeprazine dose is established. Consider therapy modification
Methylphenidate: Antipsychotic Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Methylphenidate. Methylphenidate may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Monitor therapy
Metoclopramide: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Avoid combination
MetyroSINE: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of MetyroSINE. Monitor therapy
MetyroSINE: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Monitor therapy
MiFEPRIStone: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Minimize doses of CYP3A4 substrates, and monitor for increased concentrations/toxicity, during and 2 weeks following treatment with mifepristone. Avoid cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus. Consider therapy modification
Minocycline: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Mirtazapine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Mirtazapine. Monitor therapy
Nabilone: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Netupitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Orphenadrine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Orphenadrine. Avoid combination
Osimertinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Osimertinib may decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
OxyCODONE: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of OxyCODONE. Management: When oxycodone is combined with another CNS depressant, a dose reduction of one or both agents should be considered. The extended release oxycodone starting dose should be reduced 50% to 67% when initiated in patients already receiving CNS depressants. Consider therapy modification
Palbociclib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Paraldehyde: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Paraldehyde. Avoid combination
Perampanel: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Patients taking perampanel with any other drug that has CNS depressant activities should avoid complex and high-risk activities, particularly those such as driving that require alertness and coordination, until they have experience using the combination. Consider therapy modification
Piribedil [INT]: Antipsychotic Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Piribedil [INT]. Piribedil [INT] may diminish the therapeutic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Management: Use of piribedil with antiemetic neuroleptics is contraindicated, and use with antipsychotic neuroleptics, except for clozapine, is not recommended. Avoid combination
Quinagolide: Antipsychotic Agents may diminish the therapeutic effect of Quinagolide. Monitor therapy
Rufinamide: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Specifically, sleepiness and dizziness may be enhanced. Monitor therapy
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: CNS Depressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Specifically, the risk of psychomotor impairment may be enhanced. Monitor therapy
Serotonin Modulators: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Specifically, serotonin modulators may enhance dopamine blockade, possibly increasing the risk for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Antipsychotic Agents may enhance the serotonergic effect of Serotonin Modulators. This could result in serotonin syndrome. Exceptions: Nicergoline. Monitor therapy
Siltuximab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Simeprevir: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Sodium Oxybate: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider alternatives to combined use. When combined use is needed, consider minimizing doses of one or more drugs. Use of sodium oxybate with alcohol or sedative hypnotics is contraindicated. Consider therapy modification
St Johns Wort: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Consider an alternative for one of the interacting drugs. Some combinations may be specifically contraindicated. Consult appropriate manufacturer labeling. Consider therapy modification
Stiripentol: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Use of stiripentol with CYP3A4 substrates that are considered to have a narrow therapeutic index should be avoided due to the increased risk for adverse effects and toxicity. Any CYP3A4 substrate used with stiripentol requires closer monitoring. Consider therapy modification
Sulpiride: Antipsychotic Agents may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Sulpiride. Avoid combination
Suvorexant: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Suvorexant. Management: Dose reduction of suvorexant and/or any other CNS depressant may be necessary. Use of suvorexant with alcohol is not recommended, and the use of suvorexant with any other drug to treat insomnia is not recommended. Consider therapy modification
Tapentadol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Start tapentadol at a dose of one-third to one-half of the normal dose if being initiated in a patient who is taking another drug with CNS depressant effects. Monitor closely for evidence of excessive CNS depression. Consider therapy modification
Tetrabenazine: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotic Agents. Monitor therapy
Tetrahydrocannabinol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Thalidomide: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Thalidomide. Avoid combination
Tocilizumab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Trimeprazine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Zolpidem: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Zolpidem. Management: Reduce the Intermezzo brand sublingual zolpidem adult dose to 1.75 mg for men who are also receiving other CNS depressants. No such dose change is recommended for women. Avoid use with other CNS depressants at bedtime; avoid use with alcohol. Consider therapy modification
Mental status; vital signs (as clinically indicated); blood pressure (baseline; repeat 3 months after antipsychotic initiation, then yearly); weight, height, BMI, waist circumference (baseline; repeat at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after initiating or changing therapy, then quarterly; consider switching to a different antipsychotic for a weight gain ≥5% of initial weight); CBC (as clinically indicated; monitor frequently during the first few months of therapy in patients with preexisting low WBC or history of drug-induced leukopenia/neutropenia); electrolytes and liver function (annually and as clinically indicated); personal and family history of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease (baseline; repeat annually); fasting plasma glucose level/HbA1c (baseline; repeat 3 months after starting antipsychotic, then yearly); fasting lipid panel (baseline; repeat 3 months after initiation of antipsychotic; if LDL level is normal repeat at 2- to 5-year intervals or more frequently if clinically indicated); changes in menstruation, libido, development of galactorrhea, erectile and ejaculatory function (yearly); abnormal involuntary movements or parkinsonian signs (baseline; repeat weekly until dose stabilized for at least 2 weeks after introduction and for 2 weeks after any significant dose increase); tardive dyskinesia (every 12 months; high-risk patients every 6 months); ocular examination (yearly in patients >40 years; every 2 years in younger patients) (ADA, 2004; APA [Lehman, 2004]; Marder, 2004).
Note: Reactions reported with doses up to 6 mg daily as doses greater than this do not result in significant therapeutic benefit but do increase adverse reactions.
>10%:
Central nervous system: Drug-induced extrapyramidal reaction (excluding akathisia and restlessness: 15% to 26%), Parkinsonian-like syndrome (13% to 21%), akathisia (9% to 20%), headache (14%), insomnia (9% to 13%)
Gastrointestinal: Nausea (7% to 13%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Hypertension (2% to 5%), tachycardia (2%)
Central nervous system: Drowsiness (7% to 8%), restlessness (4% to 7%), dizziness (3% to 7%), anxiety (5% to 6%), agitation (5%), dystonia (2% to 5%), fatigue (3% to 4%)
Dermatologic: Skin rash (2%)
Endocrine & metabolic: Weight gain (2% to 3%)
Gastrointestinal: Vomiting (4% to 10%), dyspepsia (5% to 7%), abdominal pain (6%), constipation (6%), diarrhea (4%), toothache (4%), decreased appetite (3%), xerostomia (3%)
Hepatic: Increased liver enzymes (1%)
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Leg pain (4%), back pain (3%), musculoskeletal stiffness (2% to 3%), arthralgia (2%), increased creatine phosphokinase (2%)
Ophthalmic: Blurred vision (4%)
Cmax and AUC for cariprazine was increased in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment and exposure was decreased for the active metabolites.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Blood dyscrasias: Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis (sometimes fatal) have been reported in clinical trials and postmarketing reports with antipsychotic use; presence of risk factors (eg, preexisting low white blood cell count (WBC)/absolute neutrophil count (ANC) or history of drug-induced leuko-/neutropenia) should prompt periodic blood count assessment. Discontinue therapy at first signs of blood dyscrasias or if absolute neutrophil count <1,000/mm3.
- CNS depression: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery, driving).
- Dyslipidemia: Has been reported with atypical antipsychotics; risk profile may differ between agents. In clinical trials, lipid changes observed with cariprazine monotherapy were similar to those observed with placebo.
- Esophageal dysmotility/aspiration: Antipsychotic use has been associated with esophageal dysmotility and aspiration; use with caution in patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia (eg, Alzheimer dementia) (Maddalena 2004).
- Extrapyramidal symptoms: May cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), including pseudoparkinsonism, acute dystonic reactions, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia. Risk of dystonia (and possibly other EPS) may be greater with increased doses, use of conventional antipsychotics, males, and younger patients. Factors associated with greater vulnerability to tardive dyskinesia include older in age, female gender combined with postmenopausal status, Parkinson disease, pseudoparkinsonism symptoms, affective disorders (particularly major depressive disorder), concurrent medical diseases such as diabetes, previous brain damage, alcoholism, poor treatment response, and use of high doses of antipsychotics (APA [Lehman 2004]; Soares-Weiser 2007). Consider therapy discontinuation with signs/symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- Hyperglycemia: Atypical antipsychotics have been associated with development of hyperglycemia; in some cases, may be extreme and associated with ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma, or death. All patients should be monitored for symptoms of hyperglycemia (eg, polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, weakness). Use with caution in patients with diabetes or other disorders of glucose regulation; monitor for worsening of glucose control.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Use may be associated with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS); monitor for mental status changes, fever, muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, increased creatine phosphokinase, rhabdomyolysis, and/or acute renal failure. If NMS is suspected, discontinue immediately, provide symptomatic treatment, and monitor patient. NMS can recur. Following recovery from NMS, reintroduction of drug therapy should be carefully considered; if an antipsychotic agent is resumed, monitor closely for NMS (APA [Lehman 2004]).
- Orthostatic hypotension: May cause orthostatic hypotension; risk is increased at initial dose titration and when increasing the dose. Use with caution in patients at risk of this effect or in those who would not tolerate transient hypotensive episodes (patients who are antipsychotic-naive or have cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, hypovolemia, dehydration, or are taking concurrent medication use which may predispose to hypotension/bradycardia). Consider using lower starting dosages and slower titrations in these patients.
- Temperature regulation: Impaired core body temperature regulation may occur; caution with strenuous exercise, heat exposure, dehydration, and concomitant medication possessing anticholinergic effects.
- Weight gain: Significant weight gain (>7% of baseline weight) has been observed with antipsychotic therapy; incidence varies with product. Monitor waist circumference and BMI.
Disease-related concerns:
- Dementia: [US Boxed Warning]: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotics are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Most deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Cariprazine is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis.
- Parkinson disease: Use with caution in patients with Parkinson disease; antipsychotics may aggravate motor disturbances (APA [Lehman 2004; Rabins 2007]).
- Seizures: Use with caution in patients at risk of seizures or with conditions that potentially lower the seizure threshold. Elderly patients may be at increased risk of seizures due to an increased prevalence of predisposing factors.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Other warnings/precautions:
- Pharmacokinetics: Plasma levels of cariprazine and its major metabolites accumulate over time. Adverse reactions may not appear until several weeks after initiation of treatment. Monitor response and for adverse reactions several weeks after the patient has begun treatment and after each dose increase. With treatment discontinuation the plasma concentration of cariprazine and active metabolites declines by 50% in ~1 week; therefore, the decline of plasma concentrations of active drug and metabolite may not be immediately reflected in the patients clinical symptoms.
Antipsychotic use during the third trimester of pregnancy has a risk for abnormal muscle movements (extrapyramidal symptoms [EPS]) and/or withdrawal symptoms in newborns following delivery. Symptoms in the newborn may include agitation, feeding disorder, hypertonia, hypotonia, respiratory distress, somnolence, and tremor; these effects may be self-limiting or require hospitalization.
The ACOG recommends that therapy during pregnancy be individualized; treatment with psychiatric medications during pregnancy should incorporate the clinical expertise of the mental health clinician, obstetrician, primary health care provider, and pediatrician. Safety data related to atypical antipsychotics during pregnancy are limited and routine use is not recommended. However, if a woman is inadvertently exposed to an atypical antipsychotic while pregnant, continuing therapy may be preferable to switching to a typical antipsychotic that the fetus has not yet been exposed to; consider risk:benefit (ACOG 2008).
Health care providers are encouraged to enroll women exposed to cariprazine during pregnancy in the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics (866-961-2388 or http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/).
Cariprazine is a second generation antipsychotic which displays partial agonist activity at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors and antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. It exhibits high affinity for dopamine (D2 and D3) and serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors and has low affinity for serotonin 5-HT2C and alpha1A-adrenergic receptors. Cariprazine functions as an antagonist for 5-HT2B (high affinity) and 5-HT2A receptors (moderate affinity), binds to histamine H1 receptors, and has no affinity for muscarinic (cholinergic) receptors.
Extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP2D6 to active metabolites (desmethyl cariprazine [DCAR] and didesmethyl cariprazine [DDCAR]). DCAR is further metabolized into DDCAR by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. DDCAR is then metabolized by CYP3A4 to a hydroxylated metabolite.
Urine (21%; 1.2% as unchanged drug cariprazine)
Plasma: Cariprazine: 3 to 6 hours
Cariprazine: 2 to 4 days; DDCAR: 1 to 3 weeks
91% to 97%
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience weight gain, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, tooth pain, fatigue, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, or loss of strength and energy. Have patient report immediately to prescriber signs of infection, signs of high blood sugar (confusion, feeling sleepy, more thirst, hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit), signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, abnormal heartbeat, or sweating a lot), signs of tardive dyskinesia (unable to control body movements; tongue, face, mouth, or jaw sticking out; mouth puckering; and puffing cheeks), tremor, stiffness, abnormal movements, severe dizziness, passing out, seizures, dysphagia, agitation, or severe headache (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for health care professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience, and judgment in diagnosing, treating, and advising patients.