Rexulti Review: Is it Beneficial for Schizophrenia and Depression?

How Does Rexulti work?

Rexulti falls under the category of serotonin-dopamine activity modulator (SDAM) medications. This drug is designed to tackle the imbalance of natural chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, ultimately alleviating symptoms associated with certain conditions. Specifically, Rexulti works by regulating two key neurotransmitters - serotonin and dopamine.

To take Rexulti, simply consume the oral tablet once per day, with or without food. Your doctor will gradually increase your dosage over several weeks based on your response to and tolerance of the medication. Rexulti is available in strengths ranging from 0.25 mg to 4 mg, with lower doses recommended as starting points.

How Effective is Rexulti for Depression?

Rexulti, approved by the FDA, serves as an adjunctive therapy for depression. It's used in combination with another antidepressant. It's not designed to treat depression on its own.Check out these 9 best supplements for depression that are FDA approved.

A comprehensive review in the CNS Drugs journal examined Rexulti's efficacy. This study involved data from over 30 clinical trials. It focused on Rexulti's role as an adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD).

The results were promising. Rexulti, when combined with an antidepressant, offered more effective treatment than an antidepressant alone. The researchers noted that the use of Rexulti significantly improved depression symptoms. You can check out our article on the 6 signs of depression and when to see your doctor.

But the benefits didn't stop there. Rexulti also brought about improvements in secondary health issues associated with depression. These include anxiety, irritability, and sleep problems.

Another research study from 2016 took things a step further. It investigated whether Rexulti could effectively treat depression in patients who also had anxiety. The outcome was positive, with Rexulti proving effective at a daily dosage range between 2 milligrams (mg) and 3 mg.

MedlinePlus advises patients to “Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member, or someone you care for has dementia and is taking brexpiprazole.”

How Effective is Rexult for Schizophrenia?

Rexulti is not just a depression medication; it also stands alone as a treatment for schizophrenia. The respected Drugs journal published a thorough medical review that delved into numerous clinical trials on Rexulti's role in treating schizophrenia.

The findings were promising, with Rexulti increasing the patient response rate by 10%. Essentially, this means an additional 10% of patients saw a decrease in their schizophrenia symptoms with Rexulti compared to those on placebo pills.

Moreover, another recent medical review echoed these positive outcomes. It established Rexulti as a potent remedy for schizophrenia. Those undergoing treatment with Rexulti reported fewer psychiatric symptoms associated with schizophrenia and experienced fewer relapses during the treatment period.

Rexulti Ingredients – Are They Safe & Effective?

The active ingredient in Rexulti is brexpiprazole.In addition to the active ingredient, Rexulti tablets also contain several inactive ingredients such as lactose monohydrate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose.

These inactive ingredients do not contribute to the therapeutic effects of the medication but are used to enhance certain properties like absorption and stability.

Let's look at the active ingredient brexpiprazole:

Brexpiprazole

Rexulti, an oral atypical antipsychotic, contains brexpiprazole as a vital component. It mainly treats mental/mood disorders like schizophrenia. Additionally, it serves as an auxiliary treatment for major depression when other depression medications fail to alleviate symptoms.

Several studies have explored brexpiprazole extensively. One study involved patients receiving either a placebo or fixed dosages of brexpiprazole. The findings confirmed the effectiveness of brexpiprazole in managing symptoms of these conditions.

Another study uncovered brexpiprazole's unique action mechanism. It plays the role of a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A and dopamine D2 receptors. Concurrently, it acts as an antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Experts believe these actions contribute to its clinical efficiency.

Furthermore, research indicates that brexpiprazole enhances prefrontal glutamatergic transmission. This process involves a dopamine D1 receptor-dependent mechanism. This insight could shed light on the positive effects observed when brexpiprazole is used alongside other treatments.

Rexulti Side Effects

Rexulti may result in side effects for some users, some of which can be quite severe. A comprehensive study conducted in 2017 highlighted the most frequently occurring side effects. Restlessness was reported by 4-14% of users, headaches affected 4-10%, sleepiness was noted in 2-6%, and tremors were experienced by 2-5% of patients.

While these side effects are generally mild, Rexulti can sometimes lead to more serious complications.

The FDA has assigned a “black box” warning to Rexulti. This is the most stringent warning the FDA can issue. It signifies that Rexulti could potentially heighten the mortality rate amongst elderly patients suffering from dementia-related psychosis. It also highlights an increased suicide risk in patients who are 24 years old or younger.

Rexulti - FAQ's

Q: What are the Potential Long-term Effects of Taking Rexulti?

A: It's crucial that your physician keeps a close eye on the potential escalation of long-lasting side effects, one of which could be tardive dyskinesia (TD). The usage of atypical antipsychotics might escalate the likelihood of side effects related to the cardiovascular system, diabetes, a decrease in white blood cell count, weight increment, and elevated cholesterol levels.

Q: Is it Safe for a Woman Who is Pregnant, or Nursing to Take Rexulti?

A: Controlled studies examining the impact of Rexulti on human pregnancies have not been conducted. However, when a mother takes this medication in her third trimester, the newborn may face a risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and/or withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms could manifest as agitation, feeding difficulties, respiratory distress, sleepiness, or trembling in the newborn. These effects may either resolve on their own or necessitate hospital care.

Q: Can Withdrawal Symptoms Occur if Rexulti is Discontinued?

A: To mitigate withdrawal symptoms and minimize the chance of a relapse, it's advisable to slowly reduce the dosage. The length of this tapering process can vary among individuals, often spanning several months. It's crucial to have a conversation with your healthcare provider about the tapering regimen and strategies for managing potential withdrawal effects.

Q: How much does Rexulti Cost

A: The price of Rexulti for a patient living in the U.S. can differ greatly depending on their health insurance status. As per the information provided on the official website of Rexulti, those who are covered under either a private health insurance scheme or government programs such as Medicaid can expect to pay a monthly amount ranging from $3.76 to $30.60.

Q: Where Can I Buy Rexulti?

A: Rexulti can be purchased from the official Rexulti website, as well as from online retailers such as drugs.com and Amazon. Make sure to consult with your healthcare provider before purchasing and taking Rexulti.

Q: What is the Chemical Structure of Rexulti?

A: Rexulti's chemical structure is a complex molecular formula of C25H27N3O2S, which includes two chlorine atoms, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and carbon. The structure is part of a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics and is used to treat conditions like schizophrenia and depression.

Q: What to Do Incase You’ve Taken too Much Rexulti?

A: If you've taken too much Rexulti, call your doctor immediately or contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers. In case of severe symptoms like breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Rexulti User Reviews

More than 300 individuals have shared their personal experiences with Rexulti on Drugs.com, a platform that facilitates patients' reviews of prescribed medicines.

Krano

For Depression

Rexulti samples were given to me (for depression) by my doctor. It helped to some degree but in order to continue use,I had to fill my own prescription. The cost AFTER insurance is near $500. This is ridiculous. Pharmaceutical companies, the FDA, and all other entities who have their hand in pricing meds do not have patients best interest in mind. Their only concern is money. How disheartening that our country allows this. It's no wonder mental health in this country is where it is.

Paxil

For Major Depressive Disorder

Been a week today, with 40mg of paxil and .5 rexulti. Best I have felt in 3 months. Don't give up! Took me 3 months of misery to feel close to myself again. Paxil quit its effectiveness after 19 yrs. Needed this boost, to claim my life back. Never stop fighting for mental health. Bless all that know the nightmare of anxiety and depression.

Tano

For Depression

“I’ve been on every Depression medication imaginable, none that worked totally. I was in a deep dark hole, fatigue, depression, paranoid. With being prescribed Rexulti in just a few days, I have my life back, I have all my energy back, depression is now hardly zero and my paranoia has diminished! No side effects for me! I recommend trying this to anyone suffering like I was!!

Upon evaluating the feedback and data relating to Rexulti, we approve it, albeit with a few caveats. The indication that numerous individuals have experienced a considerable alleviation in their depression and anxiety symptoms is a positive sign. This points towards Rexulti's potential effectiveness for certain individuals, which is a hopeful prospect.

Nonetheless, we must also pay attention to the possible side effects like restlessness, weight gain, and uncommon urges, as reported by a section of users. These side effects hold significance and can affect an individual's daily life.

Despite these potential side effects, we approve Rexulti due to the substantial relief from depression and anxiety symptoms observed in many users. However, we strongly recommend anyone contemplating the use of Rexulti to have a detailed discussion with their healthcare provider to fully comprehend the potential benefits and risks before initiating this medication.

Conclusion

Rexulti demonstrates considerable promise as a treatment option for Schizophrenia and Depression. Its potential to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life should not be overlooked. Nonetheless, note that individual responses to this medication can differ widely. Open dialogue with your healthcare provider about potential side effects and anticipated results is crucial before commencing any new regimen. While Rexulti may indeed prove beneficial, it is imperative