{"id":630050,"date":"2024-10-09T13:53:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T17:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630050"},"modified":"2025-09-12T11:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T15:32:16","slug":"caplyta-vs-vraylar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/caplyta-vs-vraylar\/","title":{"rendered":"Caplyta vs. Vraylar: Differences, similarities & side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Caplyta (lumateperone) and <\/span>Vraylar<\/span><\/a> (cariprazine) are brand-name medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating schizophrenia and bipolar depression. As members of the same class of medications, these drugs work by blocking specific dopamine and serotonin receptors while activating others. Despite their similar classification as second-generation antipsychotics, Caplyta and Vraylar are different in several ways and have different active ingredients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Antipsychotic medications<\/span><\/a> are prescribed to manage conditions associated with psychosis, a group of symptoms that involve a disconnection from reality. These conditions include <\/span>schizophrenia<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a>, delirium, and other mental health disorders. There are two categories of antipsychotics: first-generation and second-generation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First-generation antipsychotics, also called <\/span>typical antipsychotics<\/span><\/a>, were the initial medications developed for treating psychosis. While effective, they have significant side effects. Second-generation antipsychotics, also called <\/span>atypical antipsychotics<\/span><\/a>, are newer medications that are more commonly prescribed than typical antipsychotics because they have a favorable side effect profile. Both Caplyta and Vraylar are second-generation antipsychotics. Each medication is FDA approved for use in adults and can be taken with or without food. Neither drug is recommended for use in children.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Caplyta vs. Vraylar key differhences<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nCaplyta<\/b><\/td>\nVraylar<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nSecond-generation antipsychotic; atypical antipsychotic<\/span><\/td>\nSecond-generation antipsychotic; atypical antipsychotic<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\nBrand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the generic name?<\/b><\/td>\nThe active ingredient is lumateperone, but there is no generic available.<\/span><\/td>\nThe active ingredient is cariprazine, but there is no generic available.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nOral capsules: <\/span>10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg<\/span><\/td>\nOral capsules: <\/span>1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, and 6 mg<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n42 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nVaries by indication; generally, <\/span>the dose<\/span><\/a> ranges from 1.5 to 6 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nLong-term\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAdults\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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

Caplyta and Vraylar are both used to treat schizophrenia in adults. Caplyta is also approved for managing depressive episodes associated with <\/span>bipolar I or bipolar II disorder<\/span><\/a>, while Vraylar is specifically indicated for <\/span>bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/a>. Vraylar can also be used for acute manic or mixed episodes related to bipolar I disorder. Additionally, Vraylar can be used as an add-on medication to antidepressants for treating depression in adults.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare Caplyta vs. Vraylar conditions treated<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Condition<\/b><\/td>\nCaplyta<\/b><\/td>\nVraylar<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Schizophrenia<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depressive episodes associated with bipolar\u00a0 disorder (bipolar depression)<\/span><\/td>\nYes, for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder; can be used alone or as an adjunctive (add-on) treatment along with lithium or valproate<\/span><\/td>\nYes, for bipolar I disorder\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acute treatment of manic episodes or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Add-on medication to antidepressants such as Prozac (fluoxetine) to treat depression (major depressive disorder)<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Is Vraylar better than Caplyta?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no data directly comparing Vraylar vs Caplyta. However, a <\/span>review of clinical studies<\/span><\/a> involving several atypical antipsychotics, including both Vraylar and Caplyta, found that all five medications studied were more effective than placebo (inactive medicine). Additional findings include:<\/span><\/p>\n