Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is a prescription drug that treats depression, schizophrenia, and more. It works by changing certain brain chemicals that regulate mood. The effectiveness of this drug may vary based on your medical history and diagnosis.
Rexulti contains the active drug brexpiprazole. It belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.
Rexulti is approved to treat the following conditions in adults:
- major depressive disorder (MDD), often simply called depression, in combination with an antidepressant drug
- schizophrenia
- agitation from dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease
The drug is also approved to treat schizophrenia in certain children.
It’s not known exactly how Rexulti works to treat these conditions. But it’s believed that the drug binds to certain receptors (attachment sites) in your brain. The receptors affected by Rexulti usually respond to the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine.
Serotonin and dopamine regulate your moods. These brain chemicals are thought to be irregular in people with the conditions listed.
By interacting with receptors in your brain for these chemicals, Rexulti is thought to help balance serotonin and dopamine levels. This may be how Rexulti treats depression, schizophrenia, and agitation.
The length of time it takes for Rexulti to work will vary from person to person. It depends on the severity of the condition you’re using Rexulti to treat.
For more information on how long Rexulti takes to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
