Dosage & Administration
Administer REXULTI orally once daily with or without food.
| Indication | Starting Dosage | Recommended Target Dosage | Maximum Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDD Adults | 0.5 mg/day or 1 mg/day | 2 mg/day | 3 mg/day |
| Schizophrenia Adults | 1 mg/day | 2 to 4 mg/day | 4 mg/day |
| Schizophrenia Pediatric (13 - 17 years) | 0.5 mg/day | 2 to 4 mg/day | 4 mg/day |
| Agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease | 0.5 mg/day | 2 mg/day | 3 mg/day |
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Rexulti Prescribing Information
Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. REXULTI is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis without agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors
Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric patients and young adult patients in short-term studies. Closely monitor all antidepressant-treated patients for clinical worsening, and for emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. The safety and effectiveness of REXULTI have not been established in pediatric patients with MDD [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2), Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
REXULTI is indicated for:
- Adjunctive treatment to antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults
- Treatment of schizophrenia in adults and pediatric patients ages 13 years and older
- Treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease
Limitations of Use:
REXULTI is not indicated as an as needed ("prn") treatment for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].
Dosage and Administration
Advise patients that REXULTI can be taken with or without food. Advise patients regarding importance of following dosage escalation instructions [see Dosage and Administration (2)].
REXULTI tablets are available in 6 strengths:
- 0.25 mg tablets are light brown, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "0.25" imprinted on one side.
- 0.5 mg tablets: are light orange, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "0.5" imprinted on one side.
- 1 mg tablets are light yellow, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "1" imprinted on one side.
- 2 mg tablets are light green, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "2" imprinted on one side.
- 3 mg tablets are light purple, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "3" imprinted on one side.
- 4 mg tablets are white, round, shallow convex, bevel-edged body with "BRX" and "4" imprinted on one side.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Exposure Registry
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to REXULTI during pregnancy. For more information contact the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.
Risk Summary
Adequate and well-controlled studies have not been conducted with REXULTI in pregnant women to inform drug-associated risks. However, neonates whose mothers are exposed to antipsychotic drugs, like REXULTI, during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms. In animal reproduction studies, no teratogenicity was observed with oral administration of brexpiprazole to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses up to 73 and 146 times, respectively, of maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 4 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis. However, when pregnant rats were administered brexpiprazole during the period of organogenesis through lactation, the number of perinatal deaths of pups was increased at 73 times the MRHD [see Data]. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Fetal/Neonatal Adverse Reactions
Extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms, including agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress and feeding disorder, have been reported in neonates whose mothers were exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy. These symptoms have varied in severity. Some neonates recovered within hours or days without specific treatment; others required prolonged hospitalization. Monitor neonates for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms and manage symptoms appropriately.
Data
Animal Data
Pregnant rats were treated with oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day (7.3, 24, and 73 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis) of brexpiprazole during the period of organogenesis. Brexpiprazole was not teratogenic and did not cause adverse developmental effects at doses up to 73 times the MRHD.
Pregnant rabbits were treated with oral doses of 10, 30, and 150 mg/kg/day (49, 146, and 730 times the MRHD) of brexpiprazole during the period of organogenesis. Brexpiprazole was not teratogenic and did not cause adverse developmental effects at doses up to 146 times the MRHD. Findings of decreased body weight, retarded ossification, and increased incidences of visceral and skeletal variations were observed in fetuses at 730 times the MRHD, a dose that induced maternal toxicity.
In a study in which pregnant rats were administered oral doses of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg/day (7.3, 24, and 73 times the MRHD) during the period of organogenesis and through lactation, the number of live-born pups was decreased, and early postnatal deaths increased at a dose 73 times the MRHD. Impaired nursing by dams, and low birth weight and decreased body weight gain in pups were observed at 73 times, but not at 24 times, the MRHD.
Lactation
Risk Summary
Lactation studies have not been conducted to assess the presence of brexpiprazole in human milk, the effects of brexpiprazole on the breastfed infant, or the effects of brexpiprazole on milk production. Brexpiprazole is present in rat milk. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for REXULTI and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from REXULTI or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Schizophrenia
The safety and effectiveness of REXULTI for treatment of schizophrenia have been established in pediatric patients 13 years of age and older. Use of REXULTI in this population is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies in adults and pediatric patients with schizophrenia, pharmacokinetic data from adults and pediatric patients, and safety data in pediatric patients 13 to 17 years of age [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6), Adverse Reactions (6.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3), Clinical Studies (14.2)].
The safety and effectiveness of REXULTI for the treatment of schizophrenia have not been established in pediatric patients less than 13 years of age.
Major Depressive Disorder
The safety and effectiveness of REXULTI for treatment of major depressive disorder have not been established in pediatric patients. Antidepressants increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in pediatric patients [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Irritability Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The safety and effectiveness of REXULTI for the treatment of irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder have not been established in pediatric patients. Effectiveness was not demonstrated, in an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose clinical study conducted in 119 REXULTI-treated pediatric patients 5 to 17 years of age with irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition [DSM-5] criteria. In this study, somnolence (including sedation) occurred at a higher rate than reported in other REXULTI studies evaluating adults and elderly patients (16% in REXULTI-treated pediatric patients versus 5% for placebo). The mean increase in age-and-gender adjusted body weight z-score from baseline to last visit was 0.3 for REXULTI-treated patients versus 0.1 for placebo-treated patients. Increases in age-and-gender adjusted body weight z-score of at least 0.5 SD from baseline was higher in REXULTI-treated patients versus placebo (19% versus 5%).
Of the 119 patients from this study, 95 patients entered the open-label treatment study and received up to 26 weeks of daily treatment with brexpiprazole. During the open-label treatment period, 2% of patients discontinued due to weight increase. In patients previously treated with REXULTI for 8 weeks, the mean increase in weight from the open-label study baseline to last visit was 4.5 kg. and 26% of patients had an increase in age-and-gender-adjusted body weight z-score of at least 0.5 SD from baseline.
Juvenile Animal Studies
Juvenile rats were administered oral doses of brexpiprazole of 3, 10, and 20 mg/kg/day once daily beginning from weaning (postnatal day 21) through adulthood (postnatal day 90), followed by a 4-week recovery (non-dosing) period. Results were similar to those observed in previous repeat‑dose toxicity studies in adolescent (8-week-old) rats. Mortality occurred at the high-dose of 20 mg/kg/day, as well as delayed sexual maturation in males and decreased rearing and motor activity. There was no evidence of neurotoxicity or effects on fertility and reproductive function. Histopathologic changes in reproductive organs and mammary glands occurred at all doses, were related to the pharmacology of brexpiprazole and were comparable to those in adult rats. All findings were at least partially reversible. Juvenile dogs were administered oral doses of brexpiprazole of 1, 3, and 30 mg/kg/day once daily starting at 8 or 9 weeks of age for 26 weeks, followed by an 8-week recovery (non-dosing) period. Decreases in body weight, lethargy, changes in heart rate, and immature male sex organs were observed at 30 mg/kg/day. These findings were at least partially reversible.
Geriatric Use
Antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. REXULTI is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Boxed Warning, Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Schizophrenia
Of the total number of REXULTI-treated patients in the clinical studies for the adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for MDD and for schizophrenia, 248 (3%) were 65 years of age and older (which included 45 (18%) patients who were 75 years of age and older). Clinical studies of REXULTI in these patients did not include sufficient numbers of patients 65 years of age and older to determine whether they respond differently from younger adult patients. In general, dosage selection for the treatment of MDD or schizophrenia in a geriatric patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, and cardiac function, concomitant diseases, and other drug therapy.
Agitation Associated with Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
The total number of REXULTI-treated patients 65 years of age and older in the clinical studies for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (Studies 6 and 7) was 448 (86%) including 170 (33%) patients 65 to 74 years of age, 228 (44%) patients 75 to 84 years of age, and 50 (10%) patients 85 years of age and older [see Clinical Studies (14.3)].
In clinical studies of REXULTI for the treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease did not include sufficient numbers of younger adult patients to determine if patients 65 years of age and older respond differently than younger adult patients.
CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizers
Dosage adjustment is recommended in known CYP2D6 poor metabolizers because these patients have higher brexpiprazole concentrations than normal metabolizers of CYP2D6. Approximately 8% of Caucasians and 3 to 8% of Black/African Americans cannot metabolize CYP2D6 substrates and are classified as poor metabolizers [see Dosage and Administration (2.7), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Hepatic Impairment
The maximum recommended dosage in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥7) is lower than those with mild hepatic impairment and those with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. Patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment generally had higher exposure to brexpiprazole than patients with normal hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Greater exposure may increase the risk of REXULTI-associated adverse reactions .
Renal Impairment
The maximum recommended dosage in patients with CrCl<60 mL/minute is lower than those with mild renal impairment and those with normal renal function [see Dosage and Administration (2.6)]. Patients with renal impairment had higher exposure to brexpiprazole than patients with normal renal function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Greater exposure may increase the risk of REXULTI-associated adverse reactions.
Other Specific Populations
The recommended dosage for REXULTI is the same in males and females, in different racial groups, and in smokers and nonsmokers [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
REXULTI is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to brexpiprazole or any of its components. Reactions have included rash, facial swelling, urticaria, and anaphylaxis.