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Compare Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Cariprazine (Vraylar) and lamotrigine (Lamictal) are both used to treat bipolar disorder, but they belong to different medication classes. Cariprazine is an atypical antipsychotic, while lamotrigine is an antiepileptic. Cariprazine is also FDA-approved for schizophrenia and as an add-on for major depressive disorder (MDD), whereas lamotrigine is used to treat seizures. Cariprazine comes as a capsule taken once daily, while lamotrigine is available in multiple forms, including tablets and chewable tablets, and is usually taken once or twice daily. Cariprazine is only available as a brand-name medication, while lamotrigine is available as a lower-cost generic. Common side effects of cariprazine include uncontrolled muscle movements and restlessness, whereas lamotrigine can cause dizziness and serious skin reactions. Cariprazine has fewer drug interactions compared to lamotrigine, which interacts with medications like birth control pills and valproic acid.

Vraylar (cariprazine)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Vraylar (cariprazine)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Summary of Vraylar vs. Lamictal
Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
Prescription only
Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder in adults. It can also be used as an add-on medication to help with major depressive disorder (MDD). Vraylar (cariprazine) is taken by mouth once a day. Some common side effects of this medication include uncontrolled muscle movements, headache, and restlessness. Unlike some other antipsychotic medications, Vraylar (cariprazine) causes minimal weight gain. Vraylar (cariprazine) is brand name only and not available as a generic medication.
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an antiepileptic medication. The immediate-release version can treat different types of seizures as well as bipolar 1 disorder. But the extended-release version is only for seizures. Your dose depends on your age, the other medications you take, and what problem you're treating. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, and serious skin reactions. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures if you stop taking it suddenly.
Indications of Vraylar vs. Lamictal
Indications for

•Schizophrenia

•Manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder

•Bipolar depression of bipolar I disorder

•Major depressive disorder (MDD), as an add-on medication

Indications for

•Partial-onset seizures

•Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures

•Seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only

•Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only
Pros and Cons of Vraylar vs. Lamictal
Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
Pros

•Taken once a day

•Can be taken with or without food

•Works in your body for a longer period of time than other similar medications

Cons

•You might have to see your healthcare provider several times until you find a dose that works best for you.

•Higher risk for uncontrolled muscle movements than some similar medications

•Might take several weeks before you experience the full effects of this medication

Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Available in different formulations (regular immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets)

•Can use a starter kit to help with dosing when you first start the medication

•Approved for children of certain ages with seizures (age depends on formulation)

Cons

•Can cause dizziness and headaches

•Must start at a low dose and have the dose slowly raised to lower the risk of serious rash

•Interacts with many medications, like birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
Common Side Effects of Vraylar vs. Lamictal
Common Side Effects for

•Uncontrolled muscle movements (up to 20%)

•Headache (up to 18%)

•Restlessness (up to 14%)

•Trouble sleeping (up to 13%)

•Constipation (up to 10%)

•Nausea (up to 8%)

•Stomach pain (up to 7%)

•Toothache (up to 6%)

Common Side Effects for
Immediate release:

•Dizziness (38%)

•Headache (29%)

•Double vision (28%)

•Problems with coordination (22%)

•Nausea (19%)

•Blurry vision (16%)

•Sleepiness (14%)

•Runny or stuffy nose (14%)

•Sore throat (10%)

•Rash (10%)

Extended release:

•Dizziness (14%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Vomiting (6%)

•Tremor (6%)

•Feeling tired (6%)

•Double vision (5%)

•Diarrhea (5%)
Warnings of Vraylar vs. Lamictal
Common Side Effects for

•Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

•Suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain

•Difficulty controlling movements (tardive dyskinesia)

•Higher risk of infections

•Higher risk of falls

•Trouble controlling body temperature

•Difficulty swallowing

•Seizures

Common Side Effects for

•Serious skin rashes

•Serious allergic reaction

•Overactive immune response to the medication

•Irregular heartbeat

•Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior

•Meningitis (inflammation in the brain)

•Withdrawal seizures

•Possible eye problems

•Interactions with other medications
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Compare Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Key takeaways

Summary of Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Indications of Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Pros and Cons of Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Common Side Effects of Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Warnings of Vraylar vs. Lamictal

Prices with our coupons for Vraylar vs. Lamictal

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