Two medicines, side by side
Brexpiprazole vs aripiprazole
Brexpiprazole and aripiprazole are both labeled for depression and schizophrenia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of brexpiprazole since 2015 and of aripiprazole since 2002. Pharmacies paid $49.50 per Rexulti 0.25 mg tablet and $0.110 per aripiprazole 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Brexpiprazole, “The mechanism of action of REXULTI in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, or treatment of schizophrenia …”; Aripiprazole, “The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear.”
Check it at the source: the brexpiprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 2026); the aripiprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 29, 2025).
Highlights of the brexpiprazole record
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti) · label of May 6, 2026
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at increased risk of death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsREXULTI 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) ]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 10, 2015
- Generic labelers
- 1 labeler
- Pharmacy cost
- $49.50 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the aripiprazole record
Aripiprazole (Abilify) · label of January 29, 2025
INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS WITH ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. ABILIFY is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsABILIFY (aripiprazole) Tablets are indicated for the treatment of: Schizophrenia Acute Treatment of Manic and Mixed Episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder Adjunctive Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder Irritability Associated with Autistic Disorder Treatment of Tourette's Disorder ABILIFY is an atypical antipsychotic. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 47 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.110 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 25
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Brexpiprazole label of May 6, 2026, Aripiprazole label of January 29, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do brexpiprazole and aripiprazole differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Brexpiprazole, “The mechanism of action of REXULTI in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, or treatment of schizophrenia …”; Aripiprazole, “The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear.”
Both are in FDA's class atypical antipsychotics.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: brexpiprazole since 2022; aripiprazole since 2015 (Drugs@FDA).
| Brexpiprazole | Aripiprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Schizophrenia | Depression, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia |
| Pharmacologic class | Atypical Antipsychotic | Atypical Antipsychotic |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of REXULTI in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment of agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease, or treatment of schizophrenia is unknown. | The mechanism of action of aripiprazole in schizophrenia or bipolar mania, is unclear. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, the mean elimination half-life for aripiprazole is about 146 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 10, 2015 | November 15, 2002 |
| First generic approved | August 11, 2022 | April 28, 2015 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 1 labeler | 47 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $49.50 per tablet (Rexulti 0.25 mg tablet) | $0.110 per tablet (Aripiprazole 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 25 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 16,505 | 121,736 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Brexpiprazole label, warnings and precautionsStroke in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis In placebo-controlled trials in elderly patients with dementia, patients randomized to risperidone, aripiprazole, and olanzapine had a higher incidence of stroke and transient ischemic attack, including fatal stroke.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to brexpiprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions