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Today, we
know a little more.

What Is
Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia

Everyone diagnosed with schizophrenia is affected differently. While the causes of the disorder are still being discovered, over the years, researchers have learned a lot about schizophrenia.

Today, we know that schizophrenia can affect how a person thinks, manages their emotions, makes decisions, and relates to other people. For many, managing the symptoms of schizophrenia requires a range of treatments along with the support of a caregiver and treatment team.

Actor portrayal

What are some of the symptoms of schizophrenia?

The symptoms of schizophrenia vary and may be disruptive or, in some cases, hard to notice. Just as there isn't a single lab or brain imaging test for schizophrenia, a single symptom can't be used to diagnose this condition. That's why healthcare providers must look at a number of signs and symptoms before making a diagnosis, including:

Positive symptoms

The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with "losing touch" with reality. These symptoms may include:

  • Seeing, hearing, or even feeling things that no one else can
  • Beliefs in something even after it's proven to be false
  • Disorganized thinking, such as trouble organizing thoughts or connecting them logically
  • Involuntary movements or the lack of movement altogether

Negative symptoms

Negative symptoms may mean a disruption in normal everyday emotions and behaviors. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for depression or other conditions and may include:

  • Behavior where the person's face or voice does not move or show emotion
  • A lack of feeling pleasure in everyday life
  • An inability to take part in or to stick with planned activities
  • Talking only a little, even when asked to talk

Associated symptoms

These symptoms may be subtle compared to the positive symptoms mentioned above. They may include:

  • Difficulty with memory or paying attention
  • Difficulty understanding information to make decisions
  • Smiling or laughing for no appropriate reason
  • Depressed mood (loss of interest)
  • Lack of interest in food (refusing to eat)
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns

Working With your caregiver

If you have a caregiver in your life, he or she can be a valuable source of support for your treatment goals. Be sure to:

  • Let your caregiver, healthcare provider, and treatment team know about any symptoms you may be experiencing
  • Ask your caregiver to keep notes on your behavior and your treatment progress

Even if you don't have a caregiver, you can still find support through your healthcare provider, treatment team, or a local or nationally sponsored patient organization.

Getting treatment is important

If you've been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your healthcare provider may prescribe a medication like REXULTI® (brexpiprazole) because he or she thinks it may help reduce your symptoms. Keep in mind, treating schizophrenia often includes:

  • Medication
  • Talk therapy
  • Working with a treatment team

It's important to know that medicines like REXULTI can increase the risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis. Medicines like REXULTI can also raise the risk of death in elderly who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). REXULTI is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

What is a treatment team?

A treatment team is usually made up of a number of skilled mental health professionals dedicated to helping you reach your treatment goals. If you have a treatment team, it may include:

Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who are able to diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications.

Psychologists
Psychologists are trained professionals who can provide therapy to help someone better manage their thoughts.

Nurse practitioners
Nurse practitioners can diagnose mental health conditions and, in some states, prescribe medication. They may be required to work under the guidance of a psychiatrist.

Physician assistants
Physician assistants are nationally certified and licensed to prescribe medications. Like nurse practitioners, they may also need to work under the guidance of a psychiatrist.

Registered nurses
Because of how closely they work with patients, nurses are often counted on to provide critical health information to the rest of the treatment team.

Social workers
The job of a social worker is to coordinate support and social services for patients.

Case managers
The case manager is a member of the treatment team in charge of making sure that patients receive the care and support they need.

Occupational therapists
An occupational therapist can help you set achievable goals based on your interests and abilities to help with your daily life.

Pharmacists
Before you take a new medication, it's a good idea to talk to your pharmacist to see if there could be any drug interactions.

Quick tip:

Fill your prescription as your healthcare provider tells you.

Start the conversation with
your doctor about REXULTI

Get the Doctor Discussion Guide

REXULTI may help
reduce your
symptoms
of schizophrenia

Learn Why

Are you taking an antidepressant but still experiencing depression symptoms?

Think about how depression may still be affecting you.

Select the most appropriate response for each of the following statements. When finished, click 'Create My Discussion Guide' to receive a PDF of your responses along with the Doctor Discussion Guide to discuss with your healthcare provider. Please note that all answer fields must be completed. Your answers are completely confidential and will not be stored or shared.

(Select the closest answer)

Over the last 2 weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

1.Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2.Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
3.Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4.Feeling tired or having little energy
5.Poor appetite or overeating
6.Feeling bad about yourself—or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7.Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8.Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite—being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual
9.Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way
10.If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you to do your work, take care of things at home, or get along with other people?

Download and print My Discussion Guide to help start the conversation with your doctor.

Please complete all questions.

Adapted from the PHQ-9 scale developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke and colleagues, with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.

This resource is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for a healthcare professional’s independent judgment. Always follow the healthcare advice of your doctor.
Do not change the way you take your medication without talking with your doctor.

If you ever have suicidal thoughts, call your doctor or 911, or go to an emergency room. Take suicidal thoughts seriously and get help immediately.

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INDICATION and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for REXULTI® (brexpiprazole)

INDICATION:
REXULTI is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older.

It is not known if REXULTI is safe and effective in children under 13 years of age with schizophrenia.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
  • Increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis. Medicines like REXULTI can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). REXULTI is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis without agitation that may happen with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. REXULTI and antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor.

Do not take REXULTI if you are allergic to brexpiprazole or any of the ingredients in REXULTI.

REXULTI may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Cerebrovascular problems, including stroke, in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS: high fever; changes in your pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing; stiff muscles; confusion; increased sweating

  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). REXULTI may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking REXULTI. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking REXULTI.

  • Problems with your metabolism such as:

    • high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetes. Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take REXULTI. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start, or soon after you start REXULTI and then regularly during long term treatment with REXULTI.

      Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar during treatment with REXULTI:
      • feel very thirsty
      • feel very hungry
      • feel sick to your stomach
      • need to urinate more than usual
      • feel weak or tired
      • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity
    • increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. Your healthcare provider should check the fat levels in your blood before you start, or soon after you start REXULTI, and then periodically during treatment with REXULTI.
    • weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight before you start and often during treatment with REXULTI.

  • Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people taking REXULTI have had strong unusual urges, to gamble and gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having new or unusual strong urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.

  • Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with REXULTI.
  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) and fainting. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded or pass out (faint) when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Falls. REXULTI may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries.
  • Seizures (convulsions).
  • Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated during treatment with REXULTI. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs.
  • Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how REXULTI affects you. REXULTI may make you feel drowsy.
Before taking REXULTI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
  • have or have had heart problems or a stroke
  • have or have had low or high blood pressure
  • have or have had diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start REXULTI and during treatment with REXULTI.
  • have or have had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, or low levels of HDL cholesterol
  • have or have had seizures (convulsions)
  • have or have had kidney or liver problems
  • have or have had a low white blood cell count
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. REXULTI may harm your unborn baby. Taking REXULTI during your third trimester of pregnancy may cause your baby to have abnormal muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms after birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk to your unborn baby if you take REXULTI during pregnancy.
    • Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with REXULTI.
    • There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who are exposed to REXULTI during pregnancy. If you become pregnant during treatment with REXULTI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if REXULTI passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with REXULTI.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. REXULTI and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. REXULTI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how REXULTI works. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take REXULTI with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with REXULTI without first talking to your healthcare provider.

The most common side effects of REXULTI include weight gain, sleepiness, dizziness, common cold symptoms, and restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia).

These are not all the possible side effects of REXULTI. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report side effects of REXULTI (brexpiprazole). Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1‑800‑438‑9927 or FDA at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATION for
REXULTI® (brexpiprazole)
See More
Minimize
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
  • Increased risk of death in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis. Medicines like REXULTI can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). REXULTI is not approved for the treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis without agitation that may happen with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions. REXULTI and antidepressant medicines may increase suicidal thoughts and actions in some people 24 years of age and younger, especially within the first few months of treatment or when the dose is changed. Depression and other mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, especially sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor.

Do not take REXULTI if you are allergic to brexpiprazole or any of the ingredients in REXULTI.

REXULTI may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Cerebrovascular problems, including stroke, in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a serious condition that can lead to death. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have some or all of the following signs and symptoms of NMS: high fever; changes in your pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing; stiff muscles; confusion; increased sweating

  • Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia). REXULTI may cause movements that you cannot control in your face, tongue, or other body parts. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away, even if you stop taking REXULTI. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking REXULTI.

  • Problems with your metabolism such as:

    • high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and diabetes. Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take REXULTI. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start, or soon after you start REXULTI and then regularly during long term treatment with REXULTI.

      Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms of high blood sugar during treatment with REXULTI:
      • feel very thirsty
      • feel very hungry
      • feel sick to your stomach
      • need to urinate more than usual
      • feel weak or tired
      • feel confused, or your breath smells fruity
    • increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood. Your healthcare provider should check the fat levels in your blood before you start, or soon after you start REXULTI, and then periodically during treatment with REXULTI.
    • weight gain. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight before you start and often during treatment with REXULTI.

  • Unusual and uncontrollable (compulsive) urges. Some people taking REXULTI have had strong unusual urges, to gamble and gambling that cannot be controlled (compulsive gambling). Other compulsive urges include sexual urges, shopping, and eating or binge eating. If you or your family members notice that you are having new or unusual strong urges or behaviors, talk to your healthcare provider.

  • Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with REXULTI.
  • Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) and fainting. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded or pass out (faint) when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
  • Falls. REXULTI may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries.
  • Seizures (convulsions).
  • Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Do not become too hot or dehydrated during treatment with REXULTI. Do not exercise too much. In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible. Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much clothing or heavy clothing. Drink plenty of water.
  • Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into your lungs.
  • Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how REXULTI affects you. REXULTI may make you feel drowsy.
Before taking REXULTI, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
  • have or have had heart problems or a stroke
  • have or have had low or high blood pressure
  • have or have had diabetes or high blood sugar or a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before you start REXULTI and during treatment with REXULTI.
  • have or have had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglycerides, or low levels of HDL cholesterol
  • have or have had seizures (convulsions)
  • have or have had kidney or liver problems
  • have or have had a low white blood cell count
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. REXULTI may harm your unborn baby. Taking REXULTI during your third trimester of pregnancy may cause your baby to have abnormal muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms after birth. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk to your unborn baby if you take REXULTI during pregnancy.
    • Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with REXULTI.
    • There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who are exposed to REXULTI during pregnancy. If you become pregnant during treatment with REXULTI, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. You can register by calling 1-866-961-2388 or visit http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if REXULTI passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with REXULTI.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. REXULTI and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. REXULTI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how REXULTI works. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take REXULTI with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines during treatment with REXULTI without first talking to your healthcare provider.

The most common side effects of REXULTI include weight gain, sleepiness, dizziness, common cold symptoms, and restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia).

These are not all the possible side effects of REXULTI. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report side effects of REXULTI (brexpiprazole). Please contact Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. at 1‑800‑438‑9927 or FDA at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088 (www.fda.gov/medwatch).

INDICATION:
REXULTI is a prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older.

It is not known if REXULTI is safe and effective in children under 13 years of age with schizophrenia.

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

Please read FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION, including BOXED WARNING, and MEDICATION GUIDE.

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