Caplyta (lumateperone) and Vraylar (cariprazine) are prescription drugs used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. Both drugs come as capsules that you take once per day. Caplyta and Vraylar are not available as generic drugs.
This article explains the main ways that Caplyta and Vraylar are alike and different. For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see this Caplyta article and this Vraylar article.
See the following list to find out whether Caplyta or Vraylar is available as a generic. (A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication.)
- Caplyta:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: lumateperone
- Vraylar:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: cariprazine
See the following table for details on the conditions each drug treats in adults.
| Use | Caplyta | Vraylar |
|---|---|---|
| schizophrenia | ✓ | ✓ |
| bipolar depression related to bipolar I disorder | ✓ | ✓ |
| bipolar depression related to bipolar II disorder | ✓ | |
| manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder | ✓ | |
| major depressive disorder (depression) | ✓ |
To learn more about taking Caplyta or Vraylar to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Here’s an overview of the dosage and how you’ll take Caplyta and Vraylar for the conditions they both treat.
Caplyta and Vraylar are also used to treat other conditions that aren’t addressed in the following tables. To learn more about the dosages for all conditions these drugs treat, see the Caplyta dosage article and Vraylar dosage article.
Dosage for schizophrenia
The table here shows the dosages of Caplyta and Vraylar for treating schizophrenia in adults. Strengths are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Caplyta for schizophrenia | Vraylar for schizophrenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | oral capsule | oral capsule |
| Strengths | • 10.5 mg • 21 mg • 42 mg | • 1.5 mg • 3 mg • 4.5 mg • 6 mg |
| Dose | depends on your prescribed treatment plan | depends on your prescribed treatment plan |
| How often to take | once daily | once daily |
Dosage for bipolar depression
The table here shows the dosages of Caplyta and Vraylar for treating bipolar depression in adults with bipolar I disorder. Strengths are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Caplyta for bipolar depression | Vraylar for bipolar depression | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | oral capsule | oral capsule |
| Strengths | • 10.5 mg • 21 mg • 42 mg | • 1.5 mg • 3 mg |
| Dose | depends on your prescribed treatment plan | depends on your prescribed treatment plan |
| How often to take | once daily | once daily |
Caplyta and Vraylar may cause side effects ranging from mild to serious.
For more information about possible side effects, see the Caplyta side effects article and Vraylar side effects article.
Mild side effects
Caplyta and Vraylar may cause mild side effects. The table here lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Caplyta | Vraylar | |
|---|---|---|
| sleepiness | ✓ | ✓ |
| dry mouth | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| nausea or vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| headache | ✓ | ✓ |
| indigestion (upset stomach) | ✓ | |
| constipation | ✓ | |
| slow or uncontrolled movements | ✓ | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Caplyta prescribing information and Vraylar prescribing information.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects may also occur in people taking Caplyta or Vraylar. See the table below for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Caplyta | Vraylar | |
|---|---|---|
| changes in metabolism (chemical processes in the body), which may lead to weight gain, high blood sugar, or high cholesterol | ✓ | ✓ |
| extrapyramidal symptoms (a group of movement-related side effects), such as akathisia or tardive dyskinesia | ✓ | ✓ |
| seizures | ✓ | ✓ |
| neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare drug reaction that affects the nervous system) | ✓ | ✓ |
| orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up) | ✓ | ✓ |
| low level of white blood cells | ✓ | ✓ |
| difficulty managing body temperature | ✓ | ✓ |
| difficulty swallowing | ✓ | ✓ |
| difficulty with coordination or thinking, which may affect your ability to drive | ✓ | ✓ |
| risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children and young adults* | ✓ | ✓ |
| risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis* | ✓ | ✓ |
To learn about your specific risk for serious side effects from Caplyta or Vraylar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Caplyta and Vraylar have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “What are the warnings of Caplyta and Vraylar?” section.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Caplyta and Vraylar can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies of Caplyta or Vraylar.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Caplyta or Vraylar.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Caplyta or Vraylar, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
You may wonder whether Caplyta or Vraylar are effective for the conditions they treat.
Caplyta and Vraylar are both prescribed to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. Studies of Caplyta and Vraylar show that both drugs are effective for these uses.
The American Psychiatric Association includes antipsychotic drugs such as Caplyta and Vraylar in its treatment recommendations for schizophrenia. Both drugs are also included in the International Society for Bipolar Disorders’ treatment recommendations for bipolar depression.
It’s important to note that your results from Caplyta or Vraylar may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for Caplyta and Vraylar when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.)
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Caplyta and Vraylar are both brand-name drugs. Neither drug has a generic form. You’ll usually pay more for brand-name drugs than for generics.
For other resources that might help you save on the price of these drugs, see the Caplyta cost article and Vraylar cost article.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Caplyta and Vraylar may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings.
The two drugs share some of the same warnings, but they also have different ones. Some of these warnings are mentioned below. Before you start taking Caplyta or Vraylar, be sure to talk with your doctor to see if these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warnings
Caplyta and Vralar have boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children and young adults: Caplyta and Vraylar may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children and young adults (ages 18 to 24 years). This is a known risk of antipsychotic drugs, including Caplyta and Vraylar. However, neither drug is approved for use in children.
During treatment with Caplyta or Vraylar, your doctor will watch for symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions. These may include behavior changes such as being more irritable or angry than usual, or thoughts of harming yourself or others. Your doctor will watch most closely for these symptoms right after starting Caplyta or Vraylar treatment and after a dosage change.
Tell your doctor right away if you notice these symptoms with Caplyta or Vraylar. They’ll recommend whether it’s safe to continue treatment.
Risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis: Caplyta and Vraylar may increase the risk of death in adults ages 65 years and older with dementia-related psychosis. This is a known risk of antipsychotic drugs.
Dementia is a condition that leads to problems with memory, communication, and thinking. Psychosis is a mental health condition that can cause a loss of touch with reality.
Antipsychotics may also increase the risk of stroke in this group of older adults. In some cases, stroke can be fatal. Symptoms of stroke include headache, confusion, or weakness in one side of your body.
If you have stroke symptoms while taking Caplyta or Vraylar, you or a bystander should call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Due to these risks, Caplyta and Vraylar are not approved for older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Doctors will prescribe a different treatment option for this condition.
To learn more about these warnings, talk with your doctor.
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Caplyta and Vraylar have other warnings.
Before taking Caplyta or Vraylar, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- Warnings for Caplyta:
- no unique warnings
- Warnings for Vraylar:
- if you have a kidney problem
- Warnings for both Caplyta and Vraylar:
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have ever had seizures
- if you have blood pressure or heart problems
- if you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- if you have high blood sugar or diabetes
- if you have a liver problem
- if you have difficulty swallowing
- if you have difficulty managing your body temperature
To learn more about these drugs, see this Caplyta article and this Vraylar article.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: Both Caplyta and Vraylar are prescribed to treat schizophrenia. They’re also used for bipolar depression related to bipolar I disorder. It may be possible to switch from one drug to the other for these conditions.
Caplyta and Vraylar are each approved for certain uses that the other is not. Because of this, your doctor is unlikely to switch you from one to the other for a condition the drug isn’t approved to treat.
Reminder: You shouldn’t switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it. Talk with them if you have questions about taking Caplyta or Vraylar for your condition.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.