Reagila (Cariprazine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Reagila Used For?
Reagila contains the active ingredient cariprazine and belongs to a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics. It is specifically designed to help adults manage the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Primary Uses
Reagila is used to treat adults with schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by symptoms such as hearing, seeing or sensing things which are not there (hallucinations), suspiciousness, mistaken beliefs, incoherent speech and behavior, and emotional flatness.
How to Take Reagila
Always take Reagila exactly as your doctor has told you. The medication should be taken at about the same time each day, with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water – do not chew it.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended starting dose is 1.5 mg once a day by mouth. Your doctor may slowly adjust your dose in steps of 1.5 mg, depending on how the treatment works for you. The maximum dose should not exceed 6 mg once a day. If you were taking another medicine for schizophrenia before starting Reagila, your doctor will decide how to transition between medications.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual. If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. This may increase the chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- restlessness and inability to sit still
- Parkinsonism (decreased or slow movements, slowness of thought, jerks when bending limbs, shuffling steps, shaking, little or no facial expression, muscle stiffness, drooling)
- involuntary twisting movements and strange postures
- excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching, persistent blinking, movement problems
- dizziness
- anxiety
- sleepiness, difficulty sleeping, abnormal dreams, nightmares, sleepwalking
- blurred vision
- high blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat
- weight gain, decreased or increased appetite
- nausea, vomiting, constipation
- tiredness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe allergic reaction (fever, swollen mouth, face, lip or tongue, shortness of breath, itching, skin rash, drop in blood pressure)
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome (confusion, drowsiness, muscle stiffness, high fever, sweating, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat and breathing)
- muscle damage signs (unexplained muscle pains, cramps, weakness) which can cause serious kidney problems
- blood clots in veins (swelling, pain, redness in legs, chest pain, difficulty breathing)
- suicidal thoughts or feelings, suicide attempts
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (life-threatening skin reaction with flu-like symptoms, widespread painful rash with blisters and peeling skin)
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before and while taking Reagila. Make sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Reagila
Do not use Reagila if you are allergic to cariprazine or any of the ingredients listed. Also avoid if you are taking certain medicines that interfere with how Reagila works (see drug interactions section).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: restlessness and inability to sit still, abnormal involuntary movements, visual impairment, irregular heartbeat or family history of heart rhythm problems, high or low blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, dizziness when standing, history of blood clots or family history of blood clots, history of stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes or risk factors for diabetes, history of seizures or epilepsy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Reagila is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 10 weeks after the last dose. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine as it is not known if it passes into breast milk.
Elderly Patients With Dementia: Reagila should not be used by elderly patients with dementia (loss of memory).
Drug Interactions
Some medicines should not be taken with Reagila as they may interfere with how well it works or increase the risk of side effects.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid consuming grapefruit juice while taking Reagila.
- boceprevir, clarithromycin, cobicistat, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, voriconazole, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, verapamil (may increase Reagila effects)
- carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, St. John’s wort, bosentan, efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil, nafcillin (may reduce Reagila effectiveness)
Alcohol & Driving
Reagila can affect your ability to drive and operate machinery, and alcohol can worsen these effects. Take proper precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. You should avoid alcohol when taking Reagila as it can increase the risk of side effects.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Reagila affects you. The medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and vision problems in some people, creating a minor to moderate risk when driving or operating machinery.
Storage
Keep your capsules in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Store them in the outer carton until it’s time to take them to protect from light. Keep the medicine away from moisture, heat, or sunlight – do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. Do not use after the expiry date or if packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Reagila, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but your doctor will slowly adjust your dose in steps of 1.5 mg depending on how the treatment works for you, suggesting effects are monitored over time.
Yes, Reagila should be taken at about the same time each day with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.
Do not stop using Reagila suddenly. Your doctor will advise you on how to safely discontinue the medication if needed.
No, you should avoid alcohol when taking Reagila. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as it can increase the risk of side effects.
Yes, weight gain is listed as a common side effect. Your doctor will regularly check your weight during treatment.
Your doctor will carefully select the appropriate dose for elderly patients’ needs. However, Reagila should not be used by elderly patients with dementia (loss of memory).
Women must use effective contraception for at least 10 weeks after the last dose because the medicine stays in your body for some time after treatment is stopped.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.