Brexpiprazole: At the Crossroads of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician
Course Overview
Brexpiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults, as well as the treatment of schizophrenia in patients aged 13 years and older. In 2023, the FDA approved the original form of brexpiprazole for the treatment of agitation symptoms associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Brexpiprazole may also have promise in the treatment of unipolar and bipolar patients with treatment-resistant depression when used in combination with other drugs. Notable adverse effects include akathisia and weight gain. Data is limited comparing brexpiprazole to other antipsychotics, but it should be considered in patients who have not tolerated other antipsychotics well.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the basic pharmacological profile and clinical outcomes of brexpiprazole treatment
- Identify the uses for brexpiprazole
- Compare the benefits and risks of brexpiprazole use for patients with chronic mental illness compared to other antipsychotics
- Identify the contraindications and potential side effects of brexpiprazole
Faculty
- Introduction
- History of Brexpiprazole
- Pharmacological Profile
- Brexpiprazole Uses
- Labeled Uses
- Unlabeled Uses
- Dosing Adjustments
- Contraindications, Adverse Effects, Warnings, and Precautions
- Central Nervous System
- Hyperglycemia and Weight Gain
- Cardiovascular
- Falls
- Gastrointestinal
- Dyslipidemia
- Seizure Disorder
- Hematologic
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Temperature Regulation
- Geriatric Patients and Beers Criteria
- Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Other Warnings and Precautions
- Brexpiprazole Overdose
- Drug Interactions
- Studies Reviewing the Uses of Brexpiprazole
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Agitation Associated with Alzheimer's Dementia
- Brexpiprazole v. Aripiprazole and Cariprazine
- Ongoing Research
- Summary
From March 14, 2026 through March 14, 2029, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Sandra Rogers, MD; Kristina (Tia) Neu, RN; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".