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Key takeaways
Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that treats schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder.
Alternative atypical antipsychotic medications include Abilify, Latuda, Risperdal, Seroquel, and Zyprexa.
There are no effective non-prescription antipsychotic medications, though some are effective adjunctive therapies.
Vraylar is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The active ingredient, cariprazine, is an atypical antipsychotic and is not available as a generic drug. Like other antipsychotic medications, Vraylar may not work well or the side effects may be intolerable. In some cases, people may need to switch to a lower-cost, generic drug. People have a wide variety of drug alternatives, but the most suitable are other atypical antipsychotics.
What can I take instead of Vraylar?
There are other options available to treat schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder symptoms that do not improve with Vraylar, or when Vraylar cannot be tolerated. The first-choice alternatives may be other atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. In some cases, a first-generation antipsychotic may be the best pharmaceutical option even though side effects may be worse.
Compare Vraylar alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Vraylar
(cariprazine) |
$2,061 for 30, 1.5 mg capsules | $1,371 for 30, 1.5 mg capsules of brand-name Vraylar | See latest prices |
| Abilify | $880 for 30, 5 mg tablets | $16 for 30, 5 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Latuda | $1,862 for 30, 40 mg tablets | $22 for 30, 40 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Risperdal (risperidone) | $373 for 30, 1 mg tablets | $9 for 30, 1 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Seroquel (quetiapine) | $257 for 30, 100 mg tablets | $9 for 30, 100 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Zyprexa | $636 for 30, 5 mg tablets | $13 for 30, 5 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Clozaril | $1,620 for 84, 100 mg tablets | $24 for 30, 50 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Geodon (ziprasidone) | $884 for 30, 40 mg capsules | $20 for 30, 40 mg capsules | See latest prices |
| Invega (paliperidone) | $1,027 for 30, 6 mg tablets | $36 for 30, 6 mg tablets | See latest prices |
| Saphris | $637 per 30, 10 mg sublingual tablets | $65 per 30, 10 mg sublingual tablets | See latest prices |
| Fanapt
(iloperidone) |
$1,327 for 30, 8 mg tablets | $1,096 for 30, 8 mg tablets of brand-name Fanapt | See latest prices |
| Caplyta (lumateperone) | $2,267 per 30, 42 mg capsules | $1,565 per 30, 42 mg capsules of brand-name Caplyta | See latest prices |
| Rexulti (brexpiprazole) | $2,025 for 30, 1 mg tablets | $1,420 for 30, 1 mg tablets of brand-name Rexulti | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in zip code 23666. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the links under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
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Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Top 5 Vraylar alternatives
The following are the most common alternatives to Vraylar.
1. Abilify (aripiprazole)
Abilify is FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia, manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, depression (in combination with another medication), irritability associated with autistic disorder, and Tourette’s disorder. Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic. The most common side effects are stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Other common side effects include headache, dizziness, akathisia (inner restlessness and a compulsion to move), anxiety, trouble sleeping, and restlessness. Abilify has the same boxed warning as Vraylar, which are to avoid use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and to monitor patients for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
2. Latuda (lurasidone)
Latuda is also an atypical antipsychotic and can be used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression (alone or in combination with other medicines). The most common side effects of Latuda are nausea, excess sleepiness, involuntary muscle movements (extrapyramidal symptoms or EPS), and akathisia (inner restlessness and a compulsion to move). Latuda has the same boxed warning as Abilify and Vraylar.
3. Risperdal (risperidone)
Risperdal, an atypical antipsychotic, can be used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar mania (alone or in combination with other medications), or irritability associated with autistic disorder. Common side effects include movement disorders, sedation, dizziness, anxiety, vision disturbances, stomach problems (discomfort, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation), dry mouth, increased appetite, and weight gain. Risperdal has a boxed warning to avoid use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
4. Seroquel (quetiapine)
Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic that can be used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder manic episodes, and bipolar depression. The most common side effects of Seroquel are excessive sleepiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weakness, stomach pain, weight gain, indigestion, and orthostatic hypotension.
Seroquel has the same boxed warning as Vraylar. Seroquel was FDA-approved nearly 30 years ago and is one of the most affordable antipsychotics.
RELATED: Vraylar vs. Seroquel: Differences, similarities & side effects
5. Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Zyprexa is an atypical antipsychotic. It can be used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder (acute manic or mixed episodes or as maintenance treatment), bipolar I depressive episodes (with an antidepressant), and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder or MDD (with an antidepressant). The most common side effects of Zyprexa are orthostatic hypotension, constipation, weight gain, restlessness, weakness, dry mouth, increased appetite, excessive sleepiness, dizziness, and tremor. Zyprexa has a boxed warning to avoid use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
RELATED: Vraylar vs. Zyprexa
Over-the-counter alternatives
There are no effective over-the-counter drugs to manage schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Some over-the-counter medications can worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, so always check with the prescribing clinician before taking store-bought medicines or before discontinuing prescribed medications.
Natural alternatives to Vraylar
Healthcare professionals treat mental health conditions with comprehensive treatment plans. Many patients taking Vraylar may also require treatment with a mood stabilizer, such as lithium, Depakote (divalproex), or Lamictal (lamotrigine), or an antidepressant medication, such as Prozac (fluoxetine).
Other non-medication aspects of the treatment plan are equally important. The most important is cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, performed with a therapist which helps people gain control of their thoughts and reactions. Some people find other measures, such as exercise, meditation, yoga, and prayer, to help as well.
Nonpharmaceutical interventions are not a substitute for medication, but serve complementary to the prescription medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about various natural methods you can try, in combination with your medications. Always check with your healthcare provider for medical advice before trying an herbal supplement, as some may have drug interactions or dangerous adverse effects.
How to switch to a Vraylar alternative
If you are interested in switching to a Vraylar alternative, you can:
- Reach out to your insurance provider if price is a concern. Inquire about which Vraylar alternatives are covered on your formulary, and what the copay would be for each medication. Be sure to ask if your deductible has been met or if you are still paying towards your deductible.
- Contact your healthcare provider. You may need an appointment before he or she will change your medication regimen. At this visit, you can review your medical conditions and history, and medications you have tried in the past and discuss alternative medications—as well as potential side effects and drug interactions—with your provider. If your provider prescribes a Vraylar alternative, they can send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. Notify the pharmacist that you are switching from Vraylar to the new medication, so your file can be updated.
- Search SingleCare for coupons. SingleCare customers save up to 80% on prescription prices, and the coupons can be applied to refills, too.
RELATED: How long does Vraylar stay in your system?
Choosing the right path for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder treatment
The most suitable Vraylar alternatives are other atypical antipsychotic medications, particularly Abilify, Latuda, Risperdal, Zyprexa, and Seroquel. Atypical antipsychotics have a lower risk of causing some serious side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia. In some cases, a first-generation antipsychotic may be necessary. The only way to discover the best treatment option is to get medical advice and an individualized treatment plan from the prescribing healthcare provider.
- Abilify aripiprazole tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Latuda lurasidone hydrochloride tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Risperdal risperidone tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Seroquel quetiapine tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Vraylar cariprazine oral capsule prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
- Zyprexa olanzapine tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)