Some people experience weight gain during treatment with Vraylar. While exercise may be helpful, it’s crucial not to overheat or dehydrate.
Some people who take atypical antipsychotic medications experience weight gain. Vraylar is an atypical antipsychotic drug. Knowing this, you and your healthcare professional should monitor your weight. Your doctor should record your weight at the beginning of treatment and check it often throughout treatment.
Vraylar is approved for use in adults:
- to treat major depressive disorder, to be taken along with antidepressant medicines
- for the short-term treatment of manic or mixed episodes that occur with bipolar I disorder
- to treat depressive episodes that occur with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression)
- to treat schizophrenia
Read below about weight gain and what the manufacturer of Vraylar cautions about exercise.
Each person’s experience with Vraylar differs. But clinical studies reported weight gain in some people taking Vraylar.
The table below shows the weight gain that people experienced in various bipolar studies and schizophrenia studies of Vraylar. Weight is in pounds (lb). The dosages, where available, are in milligrams (mg).
| Condition and study length | Average weight gain |
|---|---|
| bipolar I depression, 6 weeks and 8 weeks | • with dosage of 1.5 mg per day: 1.5 lb • with dosage of 3 mg per day: 0.9 lb |
| bipolar mania, 3 weeks | 1.1 lb |
| schizophrenia, 6 weeks | 2.2 lb |
That’s not necessarily true while you’re taking Vraylar. It’s well known that exercise helps maintain weight. But even so, the manufacturer of Vraylar has some cautions to be aware of concerning exercise during treatment.
Strenuous exercise contributes to an increase in
- exposure to extreme heat
- dehydration
- anticholinergic medications, which treat various conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and urinary incontinence (Some of these medications are available by prescription or over the counter [OTC].)
Vrayler is an atypical antipsychotic drug. This type of drug can disrupt the body’s ability to reduce its core body temperature. So it’s important not to overheat the body.
That means while exercise is okay during Vraylar treatment, you should be mindful of how vigorously you’re exercising. Follow these guidelines for exercising during Vraylar treatment:
- do not exercise too much
- do not become too hot
- do not become dehydrated
- drink plenty of water
Talk with your doctor to understand how you can best incorporate exercise during Vraylar treatment. They also may have recommendations on nutrition that can help you manage your weight. Also, tell them all prescription and OTC medications you take so they’re aware if you’re taking an anticholinergic drug.
Gaining weight during Vraylar treatment is possible in some people. Exercise can be helpful in managing your weight, but be careful not to overheat, become dehydrated, or overexert. Vraylar can affect your body’s ability to reduce core body temperature from strenuous exercise. Taking an anticholinergic medication with Vraylar also could contribute to an increase in core body temperature.
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.