Lamictal vs. Latuda for Bipolar Disorder: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

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)

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Latuda

(lurasidone)

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Summary for Lamictal

Prescription only

Lamotrigine (Lamictal) is an antiepileptic medication. The immediate-release version can treat different types of seizures as well as bipolar 1 disorder. But the extended-release version is only for seizures. Your dose depends on your age, the other medications you take, and what problem you're treating. Side effects can include dizziness, headache, and serious skin reactions. It can also cause withdrawal symptoms like seizures if you stop taking it suddenly.

Indications for Lamictal

Partial-onset seizures
Primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures
Seizures from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - immediate-release only
Bipolar 1 disorder - immediate-release only

Pros and Cons for Lamictal

Pros

Available in different formulations (regular immediate-release tablets, chewable tablets, quick-dissolving tablets, and extended-release tablets)
Can use a starter kit to help with dosing when you first start the medication
Approved for children of certain ages with seizures (age depends on formulation)

Cons

Can cause dizziness and headaches
Must start at a low dose and have the dose slowly raised to lower the risk of serious rash
Interacts with many medications, like birth control pills, divalproex (Depakote), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)

Common Side Effects for Lamictal

Immediate release:

Dizziness (38%)
Headache (29%)
Double vision (28%)
Problems with coordination (22%)
Nausea (19%)
Blurry vision (16%)
Sleepiness (14%)
Runny or 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%)

Warnings for Lamictal

Serious skin rashes
Serious allergic reaction
Overactive immune response to the medication
Irregular heartbeat
Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Meningitis (inflammation in the brain)
Withdrawal seizures
Possible eye problems
Interactions with other medications

Summary for Latuda

Prescription only

Latuda, also known by its generic name lurasidone, is a type of atypical antipsychotic. It's used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teens. It can also help with depression from bipolar disorder in people 10 years and older. Latuda (lurasidone) comes as a tablet that you swallow whole once a day with food (at least 350 calories). The most common side effect is sleepiness. This medication isn't likely to cause weight gain. Latuda (lurasidone) is available as brand-name and generic versions.

Indications for Latuda

Schizophrenia in people 13 years and older
Depression from bipolar 1 disorder in people 10 years and older
Depression from bipolar 1 disorder in adults - as add-on therapy to lithium or divalproex (Depakote)

Pros and Cons for Latuda

Pros

Only need to take once a day
Okay for both adults and children of certain ages to take
Less likely to affect your weight than other antipsychotics

Cons

Can take several weeks before you notice the full effects of the medication
Can make you feel sleepy
Can cause movement problems

Common Side Effects for Latuda

Sleepiness
Nausea
Movement problems (e.g., tremors, slow movement, stiff muscles)
Can't stay still (restlessness)

Warnings for Latuda

Risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior
Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Trouble controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
Changes in blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight
Low blood pressure and risk of falls
Trouble concentrating and extreme sleepiness
High prolactin levels
Lower white blood cell count (leading to possible risk of infection)
Seizures
Risk of manic episode
Higher risk of side effects in people with Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia