Are Rexulti and Abilify the same?

Rexulti and Abilify are not the same medication, but they share a common active ingredient and are used to treat similar conditions. Rexulti, also known as brexpiprazole, is an atypical antipsychotic developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Lundbeck [1]. It is primarily used to treat schizophrenia and major depressive disorder.

Abilify, on the other hand, is a brand name for the medication aripiprazole, which is also an atypical antipsychotic [2]. It is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. While both medications are used to treat similar conditions, they have some differences in their chemical structure and mechanism of action.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, brexpiprazole (Rexulti) was approved by the FDA in 2015, while aripiprazole (Abilify) was approved in 2002 [3]. This indicates that Rexulti is a relatively new medication compared to Abilify.

In terms of patent status, DrugPatentWatch.com reports that the patent for aripiprazole (Abilify) has expired in some countries, while brexpiprazole (Rexulti) still has active patents [4]. This means that generic versions of Abilify may be available, but Rexulti is still a branded medication.

In summary, while Rexulti and Abilify share some similarities, they are not the same medication and have distinct differences in their chemical structure, mechanism of action, and patent status.

Sources:

[1] https://www.otsuka.com/en/our-business/our-products/rexulti/
[2] https://www.abilify.com/
[3] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/Arripiprazole
[4] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug/Brexpiprazole