Rexulti Dosage Details: Strengths available, form factors, ideal timing, and additional information explained
Rexulti, a medication belonging to the atypical antipsychotics class, is FDA-approved to treat several mental health conditions. The drug is primarily used as an adjunctive therapy for major depressive disorder in adults, and for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and children aged 13 years and older. Additionally, Rexulti is used to manage agitation associated with dementia from Alzheimer's disease in adults (1-4).
In the treatment of schizophrenia, the typical dosage for adults starts at 1 mg per day for the first four days, increasing to 2 mg per day for days 5 to 7, and 4 mg per day from day 8, if necessary. The maximum dosage for schizophrenia treatment is 4 mg per day. For children aged 13 to 17 years, the dosage is the same as for adults.
In the case of agitation related to dementia from Alzheimer's disease, the typical dosage starts at 0.5 mg per day for the first seven days, then increases to 1 mg per day for the next seven days, and 2 mg per day starting on day 15 for the remainder of treatment. The maximum dosage for this type of agitation is 3 mg per day (2-4).
For depression treatment in adults, the typical starting dose is 0.5 mg or 1 mg once per day, with a potential increase to 2 mg per day after 1 to 2 weeks. However, it's important to note that Rexulti is not approved to treat anxiety (5).
It's crucial to take Rexulti exactly as prescribed, and not to exceed the recommended dosage. Overdose may occur, and in such cases, immediate medical attention should be sought by contacting your doctor or America's Poison Centers.
Rexulti comes in oral tablet form and is available in strengths of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg. Dosage adjustments may be necessary for individuals with moderate to severe liver disease, moderate to severe kidney disease, or poor CYP2D6 metabolism (6).
Beyond the approved uses, attempts to expand Rexulti's indications, such as for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment in combination with sertraline, have not been successful. Following an FDA advisory panel vote, these attempts were rejected due to insufficient evidence of efficacy (5).
For those seeking more information about Rexulti, helpful resources include articles on side effects, interactions, drug comparison, cost, how it works, pregnancy and breastfeeding, among others (7).
Before starting any new medication, it's essential to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare provider. This includes understanding the dosage, potential side effects, and the importance of not stopping Rexulti without consulting a doctor, as a tapering off process is recommended.
In the realm of health-and-wellness, it's worth noting that Rexulti, a medication primarily used for treating mental health conditions, has shown potential in addressing anthrax of the mental health variety, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. However, its use for conditions like PTSD has not been approved due to insufficient evidence of efficacy, emphasizing the importance of science and research in mental-health advancements.
