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Medication Guide

About Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

UNDERSTANDING MDD AND ITS IMPACT

Actor portrayal.

When it comes to depression,
you're not alone

Major depressive disorder (MDD), also called clinical depression, is a chronic mental health condition. It can cause ongoing sadness or loss of interest and may affect how a person feels, thinks, sleeps, and functions each day.¹ For many, symptoms continue even while taking an antidepressant.²

around

22

million

americans

live with mdd³

Actor portrayal.

1

in

5

adults

are affected by MDD in their lifetime⁴

Actor portrayal.

almost

75

%

of people with MDD

also experience

anxiety symptoms associated with their condition⁴

CAPLYTA is not approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Actor portrayal.

for many people,
antidepressants alone
aren't enough ²
antidepressants
alone aren't enough ²

2

out
of

3

people with MDD

don't achieve
adequate relief

from their first antidepressant alone⁵

Still feeling the lows?
it's time to talk about it

Even on an antidepressant, many people may still struggle with depression symptoms like¹:

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Weight loss or gain (due to changes in how much you eat)
Depressed mood most of the day
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Feeling irritated easily
Fatigue or loss of energy
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, and making decisions
Thoughts of harming yourself

Hear from a
real person
living with MDD

Watch Matt share his experience about living with MDD.

(ON SCREEN TEXT)
Hear Matt's Story:
Chasing the Light

(ON SCREEN TEXT)
The person featured in this video is sharing his individual experiences living with major depressive disorder (MDD).
He has been compensated for his time.
Individual experiences with the condition and treatment will vary. This resource is brought to you by Johnson & Johnson.

(Matt)
Living with major depressive disorder for me is like living in a thick black cloud. It consumes every part of my life when triggered.

I can go a few days at a time feeling this way, not wanting to eat and not doing anything for myself.

Meditation helps me. It gives me time to reflect on old memories. Dark or light, they brought me to where I am today.

I had a rough childhood.

I was bullied at school, and my home life was hard. All of this coupled with my negative thoughts made me feel like I was worthless.

It wasn't until my twenties that I realized how much I had really struggled.

(ON SCREEN TEXT)
Matt
Patient Advocate with Major Depressive Disorder

(Matt)
Unfortunately, I found that adulthood wasn't much easier.

After a divorce, I suddenly became a single dad. On top of that, I was in college trying to manage my classes.

My twin baby girls were my world, but juggling my education and being there for my children was beyond a balancing act.

It felt like I didn't have time to manage my feelings of depression.

Between low self-esteem, and pervasive negative thoughts, I knew something was off.

I was putting on a happy face for everyone else. At night, it was difficult to shut down my negative thoughts and get to sleep.

I wrestled with the thought of not being here anymore but woke up each morning focusing on my kids and goals.

Exercising became a way for me to cope with what I was feeling. Moving my body made me focus on my goals and myself.

At the time, I felt like I was helping everyone else except myself. I was helping my family, peers, and boss… but not really focusing on what I needed.

But I knew workouts weren't enough to cope with my feelings.

Around that time, my best friend sat me down and talked to me about their concerns, saying that they thought I might have depression.

It was a turning point. Someone saw me, recognized my pain, and wanted to help me seek care.

I went to a therapist and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, also known as MDD. I was almost relieved to have a name for what I was experiencing, but I was frustrated because the support that I could find was minimal at that time.

I was so alone, mentally, physically and emotionally. I needed human connection and a path forward.

I worked with a healthcare provider and tried different antidepressants, but they didn't give me the relief I needed. I wanted to find what worked for me.

I really advocated for myself because it wasn't just about me. It was my future and striving for a happier life.

At this point, I was remarried and had five children. I had lost friendships, from becoming emotionally distant during my depression. And I had almost lost my current wife.

I couldn't lose her or our kids; I had to find lasting answers.

Finally, I met a psychiatric nurse practitioner who really listened to me, and we clicked. My healthcare provider and I talked about how to manage my depression, and I started seeing her on a regular basis. That one-on-one time with someone who was truly listening meant everything to me. I really valued that time. My doctor and I made strides towards a healthier future. Adding to my treatment plan has helped me find significant relief of my depression symptoms.

Not every day is perfect but I'm able to manage my MDD effectively.

It didn't feel like I was just putting on “a happy face” anymore. It was my own face, and even though not all days were great, I still felt more like myself. This is just my experience living with and treating MDD, and yours may be different.

It was enlightening.

She encouraged me to continue exercising and to start eating a bit healthier.

I also put time into learning more about MDD. From articles and podcasts, to reading books, I wanted to know everything I could.

Every decision I made to better myself was also a decision for my family. Throughout my journey they've supported me, loved me, and have had my back.

Getting diagnosed and getting treatment inspired me to give back.

I decided to use my career as an opportunity to help children struggling with various mental health conditions. Reflecting now, I think a lot of my struggles started in childhood and I wanted to be a resource for kids who needed help.

In a way, helping them, helped me cope with my past and emotionally heal in a lot of ways.

It's important to me because I don't want anyone to wait as long as I had to for a diagnosis.

If you're facing MDD, know that there are resources and support groups.

Getting diagnosed was just the beginning for me. I had to stick it out until I found a treatment that fit my needs. Through the light and dark moments, stability can be possible. It's important that you work with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you.

Work with your doctor to find your light.

(ON SCREEN TEXT)
[Johnson & Johnson logo]
© Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2025. Trademarks listed are the property of their respective owners. US-UNB-2500046 08/25

when depression
symptoms
stick around,
it might be time to try
something different

Clinical guidelines recommend that an add-on treatment may be appropriate if your depression symptoms remain.⁶

CAPLYTA is a prescription medicine taken with an antidepressant to treat MDD in adults.⁷

Ask your healthcare provider if adding CAPLYTA could help.

NEXT:Caplyta
Results

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Medicines like CAPLYTA can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). CAPLYTA is not approved for treating people with dementia-related psychosis.

CAPLYTA and antidepressant medicines increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and 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 serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients 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 CAPLYTA or an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any changes in these symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take CAPLYTA if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face, or throat).

CAPLYTA 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): high fever, confusion, changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating; these may be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal condition. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience signs and symptoms of NMS.
Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia, TD) in your face, tongue, or other body parts. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking CAPLYTA. It may also occur after you stop taking CAPLYTA.
Problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels, and weight before you start and during your treatment with CAPLYTA. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma or death. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar: feeling very thirsty, hungry, sick to your stomach, needing to urinate more than usual, weak/tired, or confused, or your breath smells fruity.
Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with CAPLYTA.
Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
Falls. CAPLYTA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause broken bones or other injuries.
Seizures (convulsions).
Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Until you know how CAPLYTA affects you, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated while taking CAPLYTA.
Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into the lungs.

The most common side effects of CAPLYTA include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, feeling tired, and diarrhea.

These are not all the possible side effects of CAPLYTA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had heart problems or a stroke, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood sugar, problems with cholesterol, have or have had a low white blood cell count, seizures (convulsions), or kidney or liver problems.

CAPLYTA may cause fertility problems in females and males. You should notify your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking CAPLYTA. There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to CAPLYTA during pregnancy. CAPLYTA may cause abnormal involuntary movements and/or withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies exposed to CAPLYTA during the third trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider if you breastfeed or are planning to breastfeed as CAPLYTA passes into breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you're taking. CAPLYTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how CAPLYTA works, causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking CAPLYTA without talking to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs. Contact Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. at 1-888-611-4824 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

CAPLYTA is available in 42 mg, 21 mg, and 10.5 mg capsules.

INDICATIONS

CAPLYTA is a prescription medicine used in adults along with an antidepressant to treat major depressive disorder (MDD); to treat depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder (bipolar depression) alone or with lithium or valproate; or to treat schizophrenia. It is not known if CAPLYTA is safe and effective in children.

Please see Medication Guide, including Boxed WARNINGS.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Medicines like CAPLYTA can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia). CAPLYTA is not approved for treating people with dementia-related psychosis.

CAPLYTA and antidepressant medicines increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and 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 serious mental illnesses are the most important causes of suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients 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 CAPLYTA or an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed. Report any changes in these symptoms to your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take CAPLYTA if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Get emergency medical help if you are having an allergic reaction (e.g., rash, itching, hives, swelling of the tongue, lip, face, or throat).

CAPLYTA 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): high fever, confusion, changes in your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, stiff muscles, and increased sweating; these may be symptoms of a rare but potentially fatal condition. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you experience signs and symptoms of NMS.
Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia, TD) in your face, tongue, or other body parts. TD may not go away, even if you stop taking CAPLYTA. It may also occur after you stop taking CAPLYTA.
Problems with your metabolism including high blood sugar, diabetes, increased fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in your blood and weight gain. Your healthcare provider should check your blood sugar, fat levels, and weight before you start and during your treatment with CAPLYTA. Extremely high blood sugar levels can lead to coma or death. Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of high blood sugar: feeling very thirsty, hungry, sick to your stomach, needing to urinate more than usual, weak/tired, or confused, or your breath smells fruity.
Low white blood cell count. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests during the first few months of treatment with CAPLYTA.
Decreased blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension). You may feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when you rise too quickly from a sitting or lying position.
Falls. CAPLYTA may make you sleepy or dizzy, may cause a decrease in your blood pressure when changing position (orthostatic hypotension), and can slow your thinking and motor skills which may lead to falls that can cause broken bones or other injuries.
Seizures (convulsions).
Sleepiness, drowsiness, feeling tired, difficulty thinking and doing normal activities. Until you know how CAPLYTA affects you, do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities.
Problems controlling your body temperature so that you feel too warm. Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated while taking CAPLYTA.
Difficulty swallowing that can cause food or liquid to get into the lungs.

The most common side effects of CAPLYTA include sleepiness, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, feeling tired, and diarrhea.

These are not all the possible side effects of CAPLYTA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have had heart problems or a stroke, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood sugar, problems with cholesterol, have or have had a low white blood cell count, seizures (convulsions), or kidney or liver problems.

CAPLYTA may cause fertility problems in females and males. You should notify your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant while taking CAPLYTA. There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to CAPLYTA during pregnancy. CAPLYTA may cause abnormal involuntary movements and/or withdrawal symptoms in newborn babies exposed to CAPLYTA during the third trimester. Talk to your healthcare provider if you breastfeed or are planning to breastfeed as CAPLYTA passes into breast milk.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you're taking. CAPLYTA may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how CAPLYTA works, causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking CAPLYTA without talking to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs. Contact Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. at 1-888-611-4824 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

CAPLYTA is available in 42 mg, 21 mg, and 10.5 mg capsules.

INDICATIONS

CAPLYTA is a prescription medicine used in adults along with an antidepressant to treat major depressive disorder (MDD); to treat depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder (bipolar depression) alone or with lithium or valproate; or to treat schizophrenia. It is not known if CAPLYTA is safe and effective in children.

Please see Medication Guide, including Boxed WARNINGS.