Key takeaways:
Latuda (lurasidone) is a medication that treats schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in adults and children ages 10 and over.
The typical starting Latuda dosage is 40 mg once daily for schizophrenia and 20 mg once daily for depression due to bipolar disorder. Your provider may increase your dose based on how you respond. The maximum daily dose depends on your age, other health conditions you may have, and why you’re taking Latuda.
Latuda is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
Latuda (lurasidone) is a prescription medication that treats schizophrenia and bipolar depression (depression due to bipolar disorder). It’s an atypical antipsychotic medication that affects dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.
If you or someone you know has been prescribed Latuda, it’s important to know how to take it safely. In this guide, we’ll review the recommended Latuda dosages for adults and adolescents. Remember to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions about your Latuda dosage. It could be different from what we cover here.
Latuda is approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression in adults. Mental health conditions vary from person to person. So healthcare providers will determine your Latuda dosage based on how you respond to the medication. The recommended dosage range is based on what you’re taking it for.
Latuda comes as an oral tablet in the following doses:
20 mg
40 mg
60 mg
80 mg
120 mg
You should take Latuda with food — a meal or snack containing at least 350 calories is best. Food helps your body absorb Latuda so it can reach its full effect. But you should avoid grapefruit juice while you’re taking Latuda. It can raise the amount of Latuda in the body to unsafe levels.
The typical starting Latuda dosage for adults with schizophrenia is 40 mg by mouth once daily with food. Your healthcare provider will assess your response and slowly raise your dosage as needed. The maximum recommended daily dose is 160 mg daily.
Adults experiencing depressive episodes of bipolar 1 disorder typically start with 20 mg of Latuda by mouth once daily with food. Starting with a lower dose reduces the risk of side effects like nausea or sleepiness. Your healthcare provider will adjust your Latuda dosage based on your symptoms. The maximum daily dose is 120 mg. But 20 mg to 60 mg once daily works well for most adults.
Latuda is approved to treat schizophrenia in adolescents ages 13 to 17 years old, and bipolar depression in children and adolescents ages 10 to 17 years old. The Latuda dosage for your child is based on why they’re taking it and their response to the medication.
The typical starting Latuda dosage for schizophrenia in adolescents is 40 mg once daily with food. Your child’s provider may then raise the dose up to a maximum of 80 mg daily.
For children ages 10 to 17 years old with bipolar depression, the typical starting dosage of Latuda is 20 mg by mouth once daily with food. The highest recommended dosage for this age group is 80 mg per day. But 20 mg to 40 mg daily works well for most children and adolescents.
Sometimes, your Latuda dosage may need to be adjusted because of other health conditions or interactions. Keep in mind, the Latuda dosage will vary from person to person. Your healthcare provider will help decide if dosage changes below apply to you.
Lower Latuda dosages are recommended for people with kidney problems like chronic kidney disease. If you have moderate to severe kidney problems, it’s best to start with a lower Latuda dosage of 20 mg daily. And doses over 80 mg daily aren’t recommended.
A lower Latuda dosage is also recommended if you have moderate or severe liver disease. A lower starting dose of 20 mg daily is best. Your dosage may be raised to a maximum of 80 mg per day if you have moderate liver issues. But if you have severe liver problems, doses over 40 mg daily aren’t recommended.
Certain medications can raise the levels of Latuda in your body. If you’re taking one of these medications, you should start Latuda at half the normal recommended dose. If you’re already taking Latuda and you start taking one of these medications, your Latuda dosage should be cut in half. The medications include:
Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapamil
Erythromycin
Fluconazole
Atazanavir
Make sure to give your healthcare provider a complete list of medications and supplements you take before starting Latuda. And check with them before starting any new medications while you’re taking it. They can make any necessary changes to your Latuda dosage based on these interactions.
If you miss a dose of Latuda, take it with food as soon as possible. But skip the missed dose if it’s almost time for your next one. You shouldn’t take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
If you miss more than one dose of Latuda, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They can help you get back on track with your medication safely. Consider tools, such as a medication reminder app or daily pill organizer, to help you remember your medication.
If you accidentally take an extra dose of Latuda, it’s unlikely to cause you any serious harm. But you may have a higher risk of side effects, like nausea or drowsiness.
Large doses of Latuda may cause more serious effects, such as irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure. Severe uncontrolled body movements can also happen.
If you or someone you know has taken too much Latuda, contact your healthcare provider or call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. But if you have chest pain or you’re having trouble breathing, it’s best to seek emergency medical attention right away.
There are ways to save on Latuda, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.
Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save over 95% off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic Latuda’s price at certain pharmacies is less than $16.67 with a free GoodRx discount.
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Latuda using a savings card from the manufacturer.
Latuda (lurasidone) is a medication that treats schizophrenia and bipolar depression in adults and children. For schizophrenia, the recommended Latuda dosage starts at 40 mg daily with food. For bipolar depression, the recommended Latuda dosage starts at 20 mg daily with food. Your healthcare provider may raise your dose based on your response to the medication. The maximum daily dose varies based on your age, other health conditions you may have, and why you’re taking Latuda.
Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2023). Lurasidone hydrochloride - lurasidone hydrochloride tablet, film coated [package insert].
MedlinePlus. (2018). Lurasidone.
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