{"id":630034,"date":"2024-10-08T16:58:30","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T20:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630034"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:42:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:42:14","slug":"vraylar-vs-lithium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vraylar-vs-lithium\/","title":{"rendered":"Vraylar vs. lithium: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vraylar<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>lithium<\/span><\/a> are prescription medications used to treat acute manic or mixed episodes associated with <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a>. Vraylar is classified in a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics, while lithium is classified as an antimanic agent. Although these medications are used to bipolar 1 symptoms, they have other uses as well and have many differences, which we will explain below. <\/span><\/p>\n

Vraylar vs. lithium: Key differences<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vraylar is a brand-name second-generation antipsychotic with the active ingredient cariprazine. It is available in oral capsule form and is FDA approved for use in adults only. It works by regulating levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lithium, a mood stabilizer, comes in both brand-name (Lithobid) and generic forms. It is available as oral tablets (including extended-release), capsules, and a liquid solution. Lithium can be used in adults and pediatric patients. It works in the brain by affecting how sodium moves in and out of nerve and muscle cells. This helps to balance the chemicals in the brain that control mood.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Vraylar vs. lithium key differences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nVraylar<\/b><\/td>\nLithium<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nSecond-generation antipsychotic; atypical antipsychotic<\/span><\/td>\nAntimanic agent (mood stabilizer)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand and generic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic or brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nThe active ingredient is cariprazine, but there is no generic available.<\/span><\/td>\nLithium is a generic drug and is most commonly dispensed in pharmacies as generic. However, Lithobid is a brand-name formulation. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nOral capsules<\/span><\/td>\nOral tablets <\/span><\/p>\n

Oral extended-release tablets<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral capsules<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral solution (liquid)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries by indication; generally, <\/span>the dose<\/span><\/a> ranges from 1.5 to 6 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/a> by indication and formulation<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries by indication; short-term or long-term<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults <\/span><\/td>\nAdults and pediatric patients 7 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Vraylar vs. lithium: Conditions treated<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vraylar and lithium both treat acute manic or mixed episodes associated with <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additional FDA-approved uses for Vraylar are <\/span>schizophrenia<\/span><\/a> and bipolar depression. It can also be combined with antidepressants for treating <\/span>depression<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lithium is used for the maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder and is sometimes prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> (for a non-FDA-approved use) for bipolar depression and as an add-on to antidepressants to treat depression. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Vraylar vs. lithium conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nVraylar<\/b><\/td>\nLithium<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Schizophrenia<\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nNo <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bipolar mania \/ acute treatment of manic episodes or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maintenance treatment of bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/td>\nNo <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depressive episodes \/ depressive symptoms associated with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression)<\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nOff-label<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Add-on (adjunctive) medication to antidepressants to treat depression (major depressive disorder)<\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nOff-label <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Vraylar vs. lithium: Insurance coverage and cost comparison<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare prescription plans cover Vraylar and lithium. Out-of-pocket costs vary depending on your insurance plan. Generic lithium is considerably less expensive than brand-name <\/span>Lithobid<\/span><\/a>, which may not be covered at all. For the most recent information on pricing estimates, contact your health insurance provider.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are paying out of pocket, a one-month supply of Vraylar costs approximately $2,000 for 30, 1.5 mg capsules, which is a one-month supply. However, you can use a <\/span>free coupon from SingleCare<\/span><\/a> to reduce the monthly cost to $1,298.<\/span><\/p>\n

The out-of-pocket price for a one-month supply of lithium is about $28 for 90, 300 mg capsules, but using a <\/span>free SingleCare coupon<\/span><\/a> can lower the price to around $3.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Vraylar vs. lithium cost & coverage<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nVraylar<\/b><\/td>\nLithium<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n30, 1.5 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n90, 300 mg capsules<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost*<\/b><\/td>\n$1,298<\/span><\/td>\n$3<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
*Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy. This is the cost as of the time of publication.<\/span><\/h5>\n

Vraylar vs. lithium side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Common <\/span>Vraylar side effects<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n