How Long Does It Take for Caplyta to Work? 5 Answers to Caplyta FAQs

Caplyta (lumateperone) is an atypical antipsychotic medication. It can be useful when it comes to managing certain mental health conditions, such as depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. With its once-daily dosage, Caplyta can be a convenient treatment option.

If you’re just starting Caplyta, it’s normal to have questions. Top of mind for many people is how long it takes Caplyta to work. Others may be curious about its uses or whether it causes weight gain. Below, we’ll answer five frequently asked questions about Caplyta.

1. How long does it take for Caplyta to work?

Caplyta may begin to work about 1 to 2 weeks after you start taking it. Typically, you should have a noticeable improvement in your symptoms after taking it for 4 to 6 weeks.

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We don’t know how long it takes people to experience the full effects of Caplyta. The clinical trials for the medication were relatively short in length: 4 weeks for people with schizophrenia and 6 weeks for people with depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. But in general, antipsychotics typically take a few months to reach their full effects.

There’s an ongoing clinical trial that’s studying longer-term effectiveness in people with schizophrenia who take Caplyta for 6 months. This study may help shed light on whether continued use of Caplyta provides greater symptom improvement.

2. What is Caplyta used for?

Caplyta has two FDA-approved uses:

• The treatment of schizophrenia in adults

• The treatment of bipolar depression in adults

Bipolar depression refers to depressive episodes that happen for people living with either bipolar 1 or 2 disorder. When taken for bipolar depression, Caplyta can be prescribed by itself. But it can also be combined with lithium (Lithobid) or valproate (Depakote) — two medications commonly used to treat symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Caplyta is currently being studied for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children. It’s also being studied for treating major depressive disorder and manic episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder. So the list of Caplyta’s approved uses may grow in the future.

How does Caplyta work?

Experts don’t fully understand how Caplyta works. However, it’s thought to have the following effects in the brain:

• It helps balance levels of dopamine, a chemical that helps regulate mood and motivation.

• It helps raise levels of serotonin, a chemical that plays a role in mood, emotion, and sleep.

• It helps regulate the activity of glutamate, a chemical that plays a role in mood, emotion, and the way you think. Glutamate may also contribute to certain symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that others don’t).

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• What dose to take: Caplyta has a standard recommended dosage. But liver function and drug interactions can affect how much you should take.
  
  

3. Is Caplyta a controlled substance?

No, Caplyta isn’t a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a medication that has a risk for dependency and misuse. These medications have legal restrictions on how they’re prescribed and dispensed. Caplyta isn’t known to have a risk for misuse and doesn’t have these extra prescribing restrictions.

4. Does Caplyta cause weight gain?

Caplyta seems to be less likely to cause weight gain than many other antipsychotic medications. In studies, weight gain wasn’t reported by people who took Caplyta for 1 year. In fact, some people even lost weight. But the availability of long-term side effects studies is limited. So it’s possible that people could gain weight while taking Caplyta long term.

If you’re concerned about weight gain, it’s a good idea to develop a plan with your prescriber to help prevent or minimize weight gain while taking Caplyta. They may suggest lifestyle changes, such as following a nutritious diet or exercising more. If you notice weight gain that you’re uncomfortable with, let your prescriber know. Depending on your health history, they may discuss medication options to help you lose weight.

5. Can Caplyta cause withdrawal symptoms?

Withdrawal symptoms weren't reported during Caplyta’s clinical trials. But it's possible for antipsychotic medications to cause these types of symptoms when you stop taking them:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Headache

• Fast heart rate

• Sweating

• Muscle pain

• Anxiety

• Abnormal movements

• Restlessness

Withdrawal symptoms can start within the first month after stopping an antipsychotic medication. And they can last for several weeks or months.

If you want to stop Caplyta, talk to your prescriber first. If they determine that stopping the medication is appropriate for you, they can help you do so safely. They’ll likely have you slowly lower your dosage over several weeks and watch you closely for withdrawal symptoms.

How to save on Caplyta

There are ways to save on Caplyta, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 per month for the first 2 months using a savings card from the manufacturer. After that, you may pay as little as $15 per prescription (up to a 90-day supply).

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Caplyta’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Morin, RPh

Sarah Morin, RPh, has been a registered pharmacist for over 25 years. She started out as a hospital pharmacist, working at Rhode Island Hospital and then at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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