Key takeaways
Vraylar (cariprazine) and Rexulti (brexpiprazole) are both oral atypical antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia and as add-on treatments for depression. However, there are some key differences between them. Vraylar is also approved for treating bipolar I disorder, while Rexulti can treat dementia-related agitation from Alzheimer's disease. Vraylar is only available as a brand-name medication, whereas Rexulti is available in a generic form. Vraylar is less likely to cause weight gain compared to other antipsychotics, but it has a higher risk of causing uncontrolled muscle movements. On the other hand, Rexulti is less likely to cause movement side effects but can lead to moderate weight gain. Both medications are taken once daily, but the dosing and side effect profiles differ slightly. For example, Vraylar commonly causes headaches and restlessness, while Rexulti can cause fidgeting and sleepiness.
