Caplyta may start working after a week of treatment. However, you may not notice a change in your symptoms for a few weeks.
Caplyta is a prescription drug used to treat schizophrenia and depressive episodes caused by bipolar I or bipolar II disorder in adults.
Symptoms of schizophrenia may include psychosis (altered perception of reality), difficulty concentrating, or feeling withdrawn.
Depressive episodes from bipolar disorder may cause symptoms including sadness, loneliness, or a lack of desire to do things that you usually enjoy.
Read on to learn more about how long Caplyta takes to help reduce these symptoms and how long the drug stays in your body.
Time it takes for Caplyta to work
It may take about a week for Caplyta to begin working. You may not notice a change in your symptoms for a few weeks or more.
For schizophrenia, in two clinical trials, people noted their symptoms eased significantly after 4 weeks of treatment with Caplyta. For bipolar disorder, in two additional clinical trials, people noted their depressive symptoms eased within 6 weeks of starting Caplyta.
If you’re concerned that Caplyta is not working for you, talk with your doctor.
How do you know Caplyta is working?
You may not feel Caplyta working right away. However, after a few weeks, you may begin to notice a change in the symptoms of the condition Caplyta is used to treat.
If you do not notice a change in your symptoms while taking Caplyta, talk with your doctor.
How long Caplyta stays in your system
The half-life of Caplyta is 18 hours. It takes about 5 days for the drug to reach a steady state in your body.
It typically takes about 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to clear from your body. This means a dose of Caplyta will stay in your body for about 72 to 90 hours.
Caplyta’s mechanism of action
The mechanism of action is how a drug works. Caplyta’s mechanism of action in treating schizophrenia and depressive episodes caused by bipolar disorder is not fully known.
Caplyta is a type of drug called an antipsychotic. These drugs are thought to work by changing the activity of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
When these brain chemicals and their receptors are affected, symptoms of schizophrenia and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder may be reduced. (Receptors are proteins in the brain that neurotransmitters must attach to in order to produce their effects.)
If you have questions about how Caplyta works for your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Summary
Caplyta is used to treat schizophrenia and depressive episodes related to bipolar disorder. It starts to work in about a week, but you may not notice a change in your symptoms for another few weeks.
If you have questions about whether Caplyta is the right drug for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
