BRIEF—FDA approves Vraylar as schizophrenia maintenance therapy

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) submitted by Ireland-incorporated Allergan for Vraylar (cariprazine) for the maintenance treatment of adults with schizophrenia.

Vraylar is also approved in the USA in adults for the acute treatment of schizophrenia and acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder.1

Without maintenance treatment, 60%-70% of schizophrenia patients relapse within one year. Once a schizophrenia patient reaches the stable or maintenance phase of treatment, it is important for the physician to develop a long-term treatment management plan to minimize relapse risk, monitor for and reduce severity of side effects, and address residual symptoms where possible, according to Allergan.