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Compare Lamictal vs. Latuda

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Latuda (lurasidone) are both prescription medications, but they are used for different conditions and belong to different drug classes. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic medication used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, while Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. Lamotrigine is available in both immediate-release and extended-release in tablet form, whereas Latuda is only available as a tablet taken once daily. Lamotrigine can cause serious skin reactions like rash, while Latuda is less likely to cause weight gain compared to other antipsychotics and can make you sleepy. Lamotrigine is available in a lower-cost generic form, and so is Latuda. Both medications require careful monitoring for side effects and interactions with other medications.

Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Latuda (lurasidone)
Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Latuda (lurasidone)
Summary of Lamictal vs. Latuda
Summary for Antiepileptic
Prescription only
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can be used alone or together with other medications to treat seizures. It's available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. The immediate-release formulation can also be used for bipolar disorder. Lamotrigine (Lamictal) can cause serious skin reactions like rash.
Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
Prescription only
Latuda (lurasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic that's used to treat schizophrenia in adults and children age 13 years and older. It can also be used for treating depression from bipolar disorder in adults and children age 10 years and older. Latuda (lurasidone) is a tablet that's taken by mouth once per day. The most common side effect is sleepiness, and the medication is less likely to cause weight gain compared to other antipsychotics.
Indications of Lamictal vs. Latuda
Indications for

•Seizures (partial seizures, tonic-clonic seizures)

•Seizures of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only

•Bipolar disorder - immediate-release only

Indications for

•Schizophrenia in people age 13 years and older

•Depression from bipolar disorder in people age 10 years and older

•Add-on therapy to lithium (Lithobid) or divalproex (Depakote) for depression from bipolar disorder in adults
Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Latuda
Pros and Const for Antiepileptic
Pros

•Starter kits are available to help with dosing when you first start the medication.

•Dose can be adjusted based on your response

•Available in various forms: chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can cause dizziness

•Dose has to be slowly raised due to risk of serious rash

•Interacts with many medications such as birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)

•Unknown if safe or works well in children under 2 years old (immediate release) or children under 13 years old (extended release)

Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
Pros

•Works well for depression from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

•Only need to take it once a day

•Can use in adults and children

•Less likely to affect your weight than other antipsychotics

Cons

•Can take several weeks before you feel the full effects

•Can make you feel sleepy

•Can cause movement problems

•Only available as a tablet
Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Latuda
Common Side Effects for
Below are common side effects reported by adults who took this medication along with other treatments. Percentages can differ depending on your condition (e.g., bipolar) and your age.

Immediate release

•Dizziness (38%)

•Headache (29%)

•Double vision (28%)

•Loss of coordination (22%)

•Nausea (19%)

•Blurry vision (16%)

•Sleepiness (14%)

•Stuffy nose (14%)

•Sore throat (10%)

•Rash (10%)

Extended release

•Dizziness (14%)

•Nausea (7%)

•Vomiting (6%)

•Tremor (6%)

•Feeling tired (6%)

•Double vision (5%)

•Diarrhea (5%)

Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness

•Nausea

•Difficulty moving or slow movements

•Can't stay still
Warnings of Lamictal vs. Latuda
Common Side Effects for

•Severe skin reactions and allergic reactions

•Overactive immune system

•Irregular heartbeat

•Suicidal behavior and thoughts

•Meningitis (brain inflammation)

•Withdrawal seizures

•Possible eye problems

•Interaction with other medications

Common Side Effects for

•Worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual behavior

•Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)

•Changes in weight, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels

•High prolactin levels

•Changes in blood pressure and risk of falls

•Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)

•Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness

•Seizures

•Triggering a manic episode

•Side effects affecting the nervous system in people with Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia
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Compare Lamictal vs. Latuda

Key takeaways

Summary of Lamictal vs. Latuda

Indications of Lamictal vs. Latuda

Pros and Cons of Lamictal vs. Latuda

Common Side Effects of Lamictal vs. Latuda

Warnings of Lamictal vs. Latuda

Prices with our coupons for Lamictal vs. Latuda

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