Video Transcript - Josh’s experience with depression Skip to Main Content VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. SELECT CONDITION Major Depressive Disorder Bipolar I Disorder Other Condition Important Safety Information Prescribing Information Medication Guide Cost & Savings Healthcare Professional Site Sign up for support See savings* About VRAYLAR How could VRAYLAR help? How does VRAYLAR work? How do I take VRAYLAR? Hear from a real VRAYLAR patient What are the possible side effects? Looking for a way to help break through to relief? Managing depression How common is depression? Common depression symptoms Watch real MDD patient stories Depression symptom tracker Understanding treatment options Add-on treatments Support & resources Save on VRAYLAR Track your mood & symptoms Find a support group Share your VRAYLAR story Resources for starting VRAYLAR Faq s Connect with a healthcare provider Sign up for support social fb insta youtube Healthcare  Professional site EN ESPAÑOL Josh’s journey to a major depressive disorder diagnosis Text on screen The person featured in this video is sharing his individual experiences living with major depressive disorder (commonly referred to as depression). Individual experiences with the condition and treatment will vary. This resource is brought to you by AbbVie. VO: My name is Josh. I'm a proud father, Air Force veteran, and I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder in 2012. VO: I started to realize that I was experiencing depression relatively young. Where I come from, we did not talk about that kind of stuff. If you did, you were just weak. There was something going on with you. I did not have much of a father figure in my life. We didn't have a lot of resources. I've generally had a feeling that the whole world was on my shoulders, even as young as ten years old. VO: Depression feels like to me, very dark and having a general sense of worthlessness, hopelessness, anger towards everything. You are stuck in your own head. It's a vicious cycle. VO: I am very proud of my service. I became an engineer. I learned how to work with heavy equipment, machinery. I learned how to work with my hands. VO: While I was in. I also saw people who were injured or killed and it brought me down a dark path. The military put me in a hospital and fairly quickly they were able to diagnose me with major depressive disorder. VO: Having a diagnosis for MDD made me feel like I could actually point a finger to what was going on with me. I was able to focus and target what I should be doing, what I can do to improve my mental health. VO: I found a treatment plan that actually worked for me through the help of medication, therapy, exercising, working out, being more proactive socially, emotionally, I began to change my entire life. Now it's a whole other turn, whole other outlook on life that allows me to grow. VO: I still have my dog tags for my military service. This is probably my most precious possession. Reminds me of a time when things were very different. I was a very different person, and I can use it to center me and remember who I am, what I do, and why I do it. VO: I really believe in the mantra that we use in the military that service before self is super important. VO: I want to share this story because I want others who are going through that same dark time, who might even be worse off than I was before. to know that there is light in a tunnel. It's not hopeless. I know how tough it is, I know the challenges but keep trying, everyone. You just have to be very consistent, persevere and even if you only do a little bit each day, eventually you’ll get there. Text on screen [AbbVie logo] © 2024 AbbVie. All rights reserved. US-PSYD-240002 06/24 INDICATION AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about VRAYLAR? Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like VRAYLAR are at an increased risk of death. VRAYLAR is not approved for treating patients with dementia-related psychosis. VRAYLAR and antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in 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. This is very important when VRAYLAR or the antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor. VRAYLAR may cause serious side effects, including: Stroke (cerebrovascular problems) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, increased sweating, or changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. These can be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal side effect called NMS. VRAYLAR should be stopped if you have NMS. Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia or TD): VRAYLAR 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 VRAYLAR. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking VRAYLAR. Late-occurring side effects: VRAYLAR stays in your body for a long time. Some side effects may not happen right away and can start a few weeks after starting VRAYLAR, or if your dose increases. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for side effects for several weeks after starting or increasing dose of VRAYLAR. Problems with your metabolism, such as: High blood sugar and diabetes: Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take VRAYLAR. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before or soon after starting VRAYLAR and regularly during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as feeling very thirsty, very hungry, or sick to your stomach, urinating more than usual, feeling weak, tired, confused, or your breath smells fruity. Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood: Your healthcare provider should check fat levels in your blood before or soon after starting VRAYLAR and during treatment. Weight gain: Weight gain has been reported with VRAYLAR. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight before and regularly during treatment. Low white blood cell count: Low white blood cell counts have been reported with antipsychotic drugs, including VRAYLAR. This may increase your risk of infection. Very low white blood cell counts, which can be fatal, have been reported with other antipsychotics. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with VRAYLAR. Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension): You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Falls: VRAYLAR may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow thinking and motor skills, which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries. Seizures (convulsions) Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities: Do NOT drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how VRAYLAR affects you. VRAYLAR may make you drowsy. Increased body temperature: Do not become too hot or dehydrated during VRAYLAR treatment. 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 Who should not take VRAYLAR? Do not take VRAYLAR if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (eg, rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face or throat). What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking VRAYLAR? Tell your healthcare provider about any medical conditions and if you: have or had heart problems or a stroke have or had low or high blood pressure have or had diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family have or had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, or triglycerides; or low levels of HDL-cholesterol have or had seizures (convulsions) have or had kidney or liver problems have or had low white blood cell count are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VRAYLAR may harm your unborn baby. Taking VRAYLAR 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 VRAYLAR during pregnancy. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who are exposed to VRAYLAR during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 1-866-961-2388 or http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/ . are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VRAYLAR passes into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with VRAYLAR. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. VRAYLAR may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VRAYLAR works. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking VRAYLAR without talking to your healthcare provider. What are the most common side effects of VRAYLAR? The most common side effects include difficulty moving or slow movements, tremors, uncontrolled body movements, restlessness and feeling like you need to move around, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation, feeling tired, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, and dizziness. These are not all the possible side effects of VRAYLAR. VRAYLAR is available in 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, and 6 mg capsules. INDICATIONS AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used: along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults to treat depressive episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) in adults to treat short-term (acute) manic or mixed episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older Please see the full Prescribing Information , including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide . US-VRAA-250457 You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/myAbbVieAssist to learn more. HOME ABOUT ABBVIE PRESCRIBING INFORMATION SITE MAP ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT CONTACT US TERMS OF USE PRIVACY NOTICE COOKIES SETTINGS YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES THIS SITE IS INTENDED FOR U.S. CONSUMERS ONLY. LICENSED FROM GEDEON RICHTER PLC. © 2025 ABBVIE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. VRAYLAR ® AND ITS DESIGN ARE TRADEMARKS OF ALLERGAN PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, AN ABBVIE COMPANY. VRAYPAY IS A SERVICE MARK OF ALLERGAN PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, AN ABBVIE COMPANY. IF YOU ARE A PATIENT, AND HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VRAYLAR ® , CALL ABBVIE MEDICAL INFORMATION TOLL-FREE AT 1.800.678.1605. US-VRAA-240126 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com You are leaving the VRAYLAR (cariprazine) site and connecting to a site that is not under the control of AbbVie. AbbVie is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site. AbbVie is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply the endorsement of the linked site by AbbVie. You should also be aware that the linked site may be governed by its own set of terms and conditions and privacy policy for which AbbVie has no responsibility. Conversely, the presence of this link does not imply the linked site's endorsement of VRAYLAR.com or AbbVie. Do you wish to leave this site? YES NO US-VRAA-230191 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com Links to other websites are provided as a service to you. AbbVie accepts no responsibility for the content of other sites. Would you like to continue? YES NO US-VRAA-220054 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com Links to other websites are provided as a service to you. AbbVie accepts no responsibility for the content of other sites. Would you like to continue? YES NO US-VRAA-220054 For Healthcare Professionals The information provided in this website is intended for U.S. healthcare professionals only. I certify that I am a U.S. healthcare professional. If you choose “NO,” you will remain on the patient website. YES NO US-VRAA-220054 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com You are leaving the VRAYLAR (cariprazine) site and connecting to a site that is not under the control of AbbVie. AbbVie is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site, and AbbVie makes no guarantee that any such support groups will result in your desired outcome. AbbVie is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply the endorsement of the linked site by AbbVie. You should also be aware that the linked site may be governed by its own set of terms and conditions and privacy policy for which AbbVie has no responsibility. Conversely, the presence of this link does not imply the linked site's endorsement of VRAYLAR.com or AbbVie. Do you wish to leave this site? YES NO US-VRA-230116test You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com You are leaving the VRAYLAR (cariprazine) site and connecting to a site that is not under the control of AbbVie. AbbVie is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site. AbbVie is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply the endorsement of the linked site by AbbVie. You should also be aware that the linked site may be governed by its own set of terms and conditions and privacy policy for which AbbVie has no responsibility. Conversely, the presence of this link does not imply the linked site's endorsement of VRAYLAR.com or AbbVie. Do you wish to leave this site? YES NO US-VRA-230180 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com Links to other websites are provided as a service to you. AbbVie accepts no responsibility for the content of other sites. Would you like to continue? YES NO US-VRAA-220054 For Healthcare Professionals The information provided in this website is intended for U.S. healthcare professionals only. I certify that I am a U.S. healthcare professional. If you choose “NO,” you will remain on the patient website. YES NO US-VRA-230180 You are now leaving VRAYLAR.com You are leaving the VRAYLAR (cariprazine) site and connecting to a site that is not under the control of AbbVie. AbbVie is not responsible for the contents of any such site or any further links from such site. AbbVie is providing these links to you only as a convenience and the inclusion of any link does not imply the endorsement of the linked site by AbbVie. You should also be aware that the linked site may be governed by its own set of terms and conditions and privacy policy for which AbbVie has no responsibility. Conversely, the presence of this link does not imply the linked site's endorsement of VRAYLAR.com or AbbVie. Do you wish to leave this site? Yes No US-VRA-230180 For residents of Puerto Rico By selecting ‘continue’ you will enter the VRAYLAR Puerto Rico website, which includes key information presented in Spanish. Cost & Savings information on this site is intended for Puerto Rico residents only. If you are a U.S. resident looking for cost information, please select ‘Back’ and visit the Cost & Savings page. Continue Back US-VRAA-240126 US-VRA-240106 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about VRAYLAR? Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like VRAYLAR are at an increased risk of death. VRAYLAR is not approved for treating patients with dementia-related psychosis. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like INDICATIONS AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about VRAYLAR? Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like VRAYLAR are at an increased risk of death. VRAYLAR is not approved for treating patients with dementia-related psychosis. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like INDICATION AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about VRAYLAR? Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) taking medicines like VRAYLAR are at an increased risk of death. VRAYLAR is not approved for treating patients with dementia-related psychosis. VRAYLAR and antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in 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. This is very important when VRAYLAR or the antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. Report any change in these symptoms immediately to the doctor. VRAYLAR may cause serious side effects, including: Stroke (cerebrovascular problems) in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis that can lead to death Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, increased sweating, or changes in breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. These can be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal side effect called NMS. VRAYLAR should be stopped if you have NMS. Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia or TD): VRAYLAR 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 VRAYLAR. Tardive dyskinesia may also start after you stop taking VRAYLAR. Late-occurring side effects: VRAYLAR stays in your body for a long time. Some side effects may not happen right away and can start a few weeks after starting VRAYLAR, or if your dose increases. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for side effects for several weeks after starting or increasing dose of VRAYLAR. Problems with your metabolism, such as: High blood sugar and diabetes: Increases in blood sugar can happen in some people who take VRAYLAR. Extremely high blood sugar can lead to coma or death. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar before or soon after starting VRAYLAR and regularly during treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as feeling very thirsty, very hungry, or sick to your stomach, urinating more than usual, feeling weak, tired, confused, or your breath smells fruity. Increased fat levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood: Your healthcare provider should check fat levels in your blood before or soon after starting VRAYLAR and during treatment. Weight gain: Weight gain has been reported with VRAYLAR. You and your healthcare provider should check your weight before and regularly during treatment. Low white blood cell count: Low white blood cell counts have been reported with antipsychotic drugs, including VRAYLAR. This may increase your risk of infection. Very low white blood cell counts, which can be fatal, have been reported with other antipsychotics. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with VRAYLAR. Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension): You may feel lightheaded or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Falls: VRAYLAR may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow thinking and motor skills, which may lead to falls that can cause fractures or other injuries. Seizures (convulsions) Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities: Do NOT drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how VRAYLAR affects you. VRAYLAR may make you drowsy. Increased body temperature: Do not become too hot or dehydrated during VRAYLAR treatment. 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 Who should not take VRAYLAR? Do not take VRAYLAR if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (eg, rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face or throat). What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking VRAYLAR? Tell your healthcare provider about any medical conditions and if you: have or had heart problems or a stroke have or had low or high blood pressure have or had diabetes or high blood sugar in you or your family have or had high levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, or triglycerides; or low levels of HDL-cholesterol have or had seizures (convulsions) have or had kidney or liver problems have or had low white blood cell count are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VRAYLAR may harm your unborn baby. Taking VRAYLAR 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 VRAYLAR during pregnancy. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for women who are exposed to VRAYLAR during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 1-866-961-2388 or http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/ . are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VRAYLAR passes into breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with VRAYLAR. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. VRAYLAR may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how VRAYLAR works. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking VRAYLAR without talking to your healthcare provider. What are the most common side effects of VRAYLAR? The most common side effects include difficulty moving or slow movements, tremors, uncontrolled body movements, restlessness and feeling like you need to move around, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, constipation, feeling tired, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, and dizziness. These are not all the possible side effects of VRAYLAR. VRAYLAR is available in 0.5 mg, 0.75 mg, 1.5 mg, 3 mg, 4.5 mg, and 6 mg capsules. INDICATIONS AND USAGE VRAYLAR is a prescription medicine used: along with antidepressant medicines to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults to treat depressive episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder (bipolar depression) in adults to treat short-term (acute) manic or mixed episodes that happen with bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older Please see the full Prescribing Information , including Boxed Warnings, and Medication Guide . US-VRAA-250457