All Your Specific Vraylar Questions Answered

How Long Does It Take for Vraylar to Take Effect?

Vraylar is not an instant or quick fix. For it to take full effect, Vraylar needs to build up in your system.

For many patients, improvements start to kick in after about 1-2 weeks of use. However, it may take about 6 weeks of using Vraylar as directed by a doctor to see the full effects.

And it does typically take a little longer to see symptom relief for people suffering from schizophrenia than for those dealing with bipolar disorder.

Do Vraylar Side Effects Go Away?

Generally speaking—yes. Vraylar side effects should go away.

The side effects of Vraylar tend to happen because your body’s getting used to a new medication. As your body completes that process, any side effects you’re experiencing should resolve.

Side effects to watch out for after you start taking Vraylar include:

These effects should be mild, and they should go away with time.

If they don’t go away or if they are quite severe, talk to your doctor to see if you can determine a mitigation strategy or an alternative treatment plan.

(But don’t just stop taking your medication on your own; doing so can actually make your side effects worse, and can even be dangerous).

How Long Can You Stay on Vraylar?

You can stay on Vraylar for a long time; it’s approved for long-term use.

Your doctor will help you figure out how long you, specifically, might need to be taking Vraylar. Some people take it for years to manage their chronic schizophrenia.

Others may only take it for a few months, to help manage acute depressive or manic episodes.

Regardless of your plan for taking Vraylar, if you do decide to stop taking it, work with your doctor to taper your dose gradually so you don’t suffer unnecessary withdrawal symptoms.

What Year Was Vraylar Introduced to the Public?

Vraylar was introduced to the public shortly after its approval in 2015. Vraylar was approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Later, in 2022, a generic equivalent of Vraylar – cariprazine – was approved.

This version of the medication is still under patent protection, so it may be difficult to find generic Vraylar for a few years.

Can Short-Term Use of Vraylar Impair Motor Skills?

Yes. For some people, using Vraylar even in the short term can impair their motor skills.

That can sound scary (and, to be fair, it is!), but these effects should be temporary.

Here’s what to keep an eye out for:

If at all possible, it’s a good idea to time your first Vraylar doses for when you can take time to see how the drug will affect you (e.g., not around your first day on a new job, and preferably when you can spend time at home).

Does Vraylar Cause Limb Weakness?

Vraylar can cause limb weakness, yes.

Your muscles may also feel stiff after you start taking this medication. For others, this shows up as random-feeling involuntary movements, or even tremors.

If you experience limb weakness persistently, talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you modify your dose so you have a better time with your Vraylar treatment.

Does Vraylar Cause Sexual Side Effects?

For some people, yes, Vraylar can cause sexual side effects.

More specifically, this can involve:

The extent to which you experience these side effects will depend on your unique biochemistry. Some people may have a difficult time with this—and others may not experience these issues at all.

If you are having frustrating sexual side effects after taking Vraylar, talk to your doctor.

You may be able to adjust your dose, consider alternative medications, and address any hormonal imbalances that could be exacerbating this situation.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Taking Vraylar?

It’s not the best idea to drink alcohol while you’re taking Vraylar.

Why?

When you have both Vraylar and alcohol in your system, you risk increased drowsiness, dizziness, worsened mental health symptoms, and more side effects.

Read that again! If you’re taking Vraylar to reduce symptoms associated with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, for example, drinking alcohol may undo what Vraylar is doing for you (and give you a headache in the bargain).

This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go sober when you take Vraylar.

Talk to your doctor about your individual risk levels and then make an informed choice about alcohol consumption.

Can You Drink Caffeine While Taking Vraylar?

Yes, you can drink caffeine while taking Vraylar.

That said, if you drink too much caffeine, you may risk increased restlessness and sleep disturbances—two potential side effects of Vraylar that could get worse when you have too much caffeine in your system.

This does point to a potential solution for Vraylar side effects, though.

If you realize that you’re experiencing difficulty sleeping or jitteriness after starting Vraylar, take a look at your caffeine consumption and consider having just a little less, to see if that helps.

Does Vraylar Affect Diabetes Risk?

Yes, Vraylar can affect your overall diabetes risk, since it can affect a patient’s blood sugar levels. Much like other atypical antipsychotic medications, Vraylar can induce hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. Over time, if left untreated or not responded to, this state can contribute to insulin resistance and, ultimately, diabetes.

This can relate to weight gain as well. Vraylar’s considered less likely than alternative medications to cause a patient to gain a significant amount of weight, but for some patients, any blood sugar imbalances and any associated weight gain on Vraylar can contribute to diabetes risk.

If you believe that diabetes is a particular concern for you (say, you’re prediabetic, or diabetes runs in your family), you can still take Vraylar.

Your doctor will just want to monitor your blood sugar and weight closely while you’re on the medication.

How Should I Take Vraylar?

Vraylar is an oral medication. To take it, you’ll swallow one tablet; water may make this easier. You don’t need to take it with food but listen to how your body feels.

For some people, taking it just before or after a meal may feel better. You’ll very likely take your medication once daily.

Your doctor will help you determine your most appropriate dosing schedule. It’s a good idea to take the medication at about the same time every day, to keep your experience as consistent as possible.

Are There Serious Risks Associated with Vraylar?

Yes, there are some serious risks associated with Vraylar.

These are rare risks, and as long as you take the medication as directed, you should only have mild (and temporary) side effects to look forward to.

That said, it’s a good idea to be aware of what could happen, even in a very unlikely scenario.

Again, these are not common occurrences.

If your doctor believes that Vraylar is a good fit for you, they may just want to monitor you carefully as you start taking the drug and during any subsequent dose changes to make sure you’re safe.

Can Vraylar Be Used During Pregnancy or While Breastfeeding?

The medical community doesn’t know quite enough yet about the safety of Vraylar during pregnancy and breastfeeding to say whether this is a good idea.

So, for now, if you are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether Vraylar is a good option for you.

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Starting Vraylar?

Most of the things you should tell your healthcare provider before you start taking Vraylar will be a part of your doctor’s routine question-and-answer process.

Just in case, though, here’s a checklist of things you should make sure your provider knows before they prescribe Vraylar:

Are There Any Drug Interactions with Vraylar?

Yes, there are a few types of drug interactions with Vraylar that it’s worth being aware of.

When drugs interact, that means the ingredients in one medication may have an effect on the way another medication works. Sometimes, drug interactions can make medications behave unpredictably, reduce the effectiveness of either drug, or amplify unwanted side effects.

Your doctor will look at the full list of medications you’re taking and help you determine whether taking Vraylar, too, is a good idea.

For your own information, here’s a list of other drugs that may interact with Vraylar:

You likely won’t have to worry too much about assessing your own lineup of drugs to see whether they match up with Vraylar nicely—your doctor has the experience and expertise to do that for you.

But if you know that you are taking another medication on this list or want to in the near future, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.

Is Vraylar Right for You? (+How to Save Big)

If you or a loved one is looking for an effective way to manage bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or even major depressive disorder, it may be worth discussing Vraylar with your trusted healthcare professional.

It’s a high-quality medication with a good safety record, but, as with any powerful medication, there are some precautions you need to take and risks to be aware of when you start taking Vraylar.

If one of your concerns is Vraylar’s typically high cost, you’re in luck.

While the American retail price for Vraylar can soar as high as $1,500.00 for a one-month supply, here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a four-week supply of Vraylar for about $260.00 (nearly 80% savings).

Ready to save big on brand-name Vraylar? Head to our Vraylar page to learn more and get started. In the meantime, reach out to our friendly customer service team with any questions you may have. NorthWestPharmacy.com looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare journey!