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.
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
Latuda (lurasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic. It's not completely known how the medication works. But it's thought to work by balancing out the levels of certain chemicals (dopamine and serotonin) in your brain to help control your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Absence of or decrease in body movement
difficulty with swallowing
inability to sit still
incremental or ratchet-like movement of the muscle
loss of balance control
mask-like face
muscle discomfort
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
need to keep moving
restlessness
rigid or stiff muscles
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shuffling walk
slow movements
slow reflexes
slurred speech
stiffness of the arms and legs
tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
twisting movements of the body
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
Less common
Arm, back, or jaw pain
blurred vision
burning while urinating
changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
chest pain or discomfort
chills
cold sweats
confusion
difficult or painful urination
difficulty opening the mouth
difficulty with breathing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
fixed position of the eye
headache
high fever
inability to move the eyes
inability to speak
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
increased sweating
lockjaw
loss of bladder control
muscle spasm, especially of the neck and back
nervousness
pale skin
pounding in the ears
seizures
severe muscle stiffness
severe or sudden headache
slow or fast heartbeat
slurred speech
sticking out of the tongue
sweating
temporary blindness
tiredness
trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
troubled breathing with exertion
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual facial expressions
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusually pale skin
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
Rare
Black, tarry stools
bloody urine
breast pain or swelling
dark-colored urine
decreased frequency or amount of urine
increased thirst
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle cramp, pain, or stiffness
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
swollen glands
vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
belching
drowsiness
hyperventilation
indigestion
irritability
relaxed and calm feeling
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
trouble sleeping
unusually deep sleep
unusually long duration of sleep
Less common
Abnormal dreams
back pain
blurred vision
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
decreased appetite
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
indigestion
sensation of spinning
sweating
tenderness in the stomach area
watering of mouth and drooling
Rare
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
unexpected or excess milk flow from the breasts
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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
Can take several weeks before you feel the full effects
Can make you feel sleepy
Can cause movement problems
Only available as a tablet
Let your provider know about all the medications you're taking before you start Latuda (lurasidone). And don't start any new medications without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Latuda (lurasidone) interacts with a lot of medications, so your provider should make sure all your medications are safe to take together.
Take Latuda (lurasidone) once a day at the same time every day. Take the medication with food that has at least 350 calories. This helps your body absorb the medication better so it can work as best as possible for you.
Latuda (lurasidone) can make you sleepy and dizzy. Don't drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you.
Speak with your provider about your alcohol consumption while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone). It might be best to avoid drinking alcohol because it can worsen your symptoms. In addition, alcohol can worsen sleepiness and dizziness side effects.
Latuda (lurasidone) can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you feel dizzy when you're changing positions, such as from sitting to standing. This is more common when you start treatment and when your dose changes. Get up slowly and try to hold onto something for stability. Get medical help right away if you fall or hit your head.
Latuda (lurasidone) can make it harder for your body to cool down when your body temperature gets too high. You might be more likely to get dehydrated and overheated. Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Let your provider know if you feel very hot or thirsty, notice a change in the amount of sweat or urine you make, or if you notice very dark-colored urine.
Latuda (lurasidone) can raise blood sugar levels for some people. Ask your provider whether you need to check your blood sugar more often during treatment if you have diabetes.
During treatment, it's important that you regularly exercise and eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and low-fat and low-sugar foods. It's possible for Latuda (lurasidone) to raise your cholesterol (fat) levels in your blood and cause changes in weight in some people.
Although rare, Latuda (lurasidone) can cause difficulty swallowing, which can raise the risk for choking. Make sure to take small bites of food and eat slowly to lower your risk for choking.
If you've taken Latuda (lurasidone) for a long time, don't suddenly stop taking it without talking to your provider first. Otherwise, you might have withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headache, sweating, sleeping problems, or mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression). It might also cause an imbalance of chemicals in your brain that can make your mood symptoms come back. Work with your provider to lower your dose gradually to safely stop Latuda (lurasidone) and prevent withdrawal symptoms from happening.
Latuda (lurasidone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Age under 24 years old | History of depression or other mental health conditions
Taking Latuda (lurasidone) can make your depression worse and cause you to have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. The risk is highest if you're 24 years of age or younger, during the first few months of taking the medication, and when your dose changes. Get medical help right away if you or anyone around you notices that you have suicidal thoughts or unusual behavior (e.g., anxiety, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness) while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone).
People over the age of 65 who also have dementia sometimes have some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, like hallucinations and delusions. This is called dementia-related psychosis, and it should not be treated with Latuda (lurasidone). Clinical studies found that more strokes and deaths happened in older adults with dementia-related psychosis who were treated with this medication. In studies, the causes of death were often linked to stroke, heart problems, other blood vessel problems, or infection. Let your provider know if you or your loved one has dementia before starting Latuda (lurasidone).
Taking antipsychotic medications like Latuda (lurasidone) can cause a rare, but life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms include fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not being aware of your surroundings, and fast or irregular heartbeat. Get medical attention as soon as possible if you have any of these symptoms while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone). You might need to stop taking Latuda (lurasidone) and switch to a different medication.
Risk factors: Older adults | Women who are 65 years or older | Higher than recommended doses of Latuda (lurasidone) | Taking Latuda (lurasidone) for a long time
Latuda (lurasidone) can cause uncontrolled muscle movements in the tongue, face, mouth, lips, neck, hands, arms, legs, and feet (called tardive dyskinesia). The risk for these movement problems and for them to be permanent goes up the longer you take the medication and the higher your dose. Your provider will prescribe the lowest dose possible for the shortest period of time for your symptoms to lower your risk of tardive dyskinesia. Stop taking Latuda (lurasidone) and talk to your provider right away if you notice any unusual movements that you can't control.
Risk factors: Diabetes | High cholesterol | Considered obese
Medications like Latuda (lurasidone) can cause changes in your blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It can also cause changes in your appetite or weight. Your provider might order blood tests regularly throughout treatment to make sure your blood sugar and cholesterol levels are in a healthy range. Make sure to follow a healthy and balanced diet that's low in fat and sugar and keep a regular exercise routine while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Latuda (lurasidone) can cause prolactin hormone levels in your blood to go up. High prolactin levels can lead to symptoms such as milky discharge from the nipple, enlarged breasts, and absent or irregular menstrual periods. Talk to your provider if you experience or have any concerns about these symptoms.
Risk factors: Low blood pressure | Taking medications that lower blood pressure | History of medical conditions that can lower blood pressure | High Latuda (lurasidone) doses | Liver or kidney problems | 65 years or older
Latuda (lurasidone) can make you tired, lower your blood pressure when you stand up, or cause you to lose your balance. This can lead to falls and accidental injuries. Make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something when you stand from a sitting or lying position. Contact your provider if you experience a fall while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Risk factors: Poor immune system
Though rare, Latuda (lurasidone) can lower your white blood cell counts (WBCs) and put you at risk for infections. You might need to get blood tests done regularly during the first few months of treatment so your provider can make sure your WBCs are in a safe range. If your WBC count drops too low, you'll probably need to stop taking Latuda (lurasidone). Contact your provider right away if you have any signs of infection that don't go away, such as fever, tiredness, chills, cough, or trouble breathing.
Risk factors: Taking high doses of Latuda (lurasidone) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness
Latuda (lurasidone) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can cause drowsiness, such as benzodiazepines, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, and sleep medications. Make sure you know how Latuda (lurasidone) affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you feel too sleepy from Latuda (lurasidone).
Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that make it easier to get seizures
Latuda (lurasidone) can potentially raise your risk of having seizures. Before starting this medication, let your provider know if you have a history of seizures or have a medical condition that puts you at risk for getting seizures.
Though rare, taking Latuda (lurasidone) for depression from bipolar disorder can trigger a bipolar manic episode. Talk to your provider right away if you or your loved ones notice unusual changes in your behavior, such as racing thoughts, restlessness, getting easily distracted, or unusual talkativeness.
People with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia are potentially more sensitive to medications like Latuda (lurasidone). Some signs of higher sensitivity include confusion, unstable posture, falls, movement problems, and similar symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It's important to get medical help right away if you or your loved ones notice these effects so you can be examined by a provider.
Your provider will determine your dose of Latuda (lurasidone) based on your condition, whether you have kidney or liver problems, and whether you're taking a medication that interacts with Latuda (lurasidone).
If needed, your provider will adjust your dose over time depending on how well the medication works for you and whether you're having side effects.
Schizophrenia
Ages 18 years and older: The typical starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once per day. The maximum dose is 160 mg per day.
Ages 13 to 17 years of age: The typical starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once per day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.
Depression from bipolar disorder
Ages 18 years and older: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once per day. The maximum dose is 120 mg per day.
Ages 10 to 17 years of age: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once per day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Taking medications that interact with Latuda (lurasidone), such as ritonavir (Norvir), phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), rifampin (Rifadin), and St. John's wort
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
Tourette syndrome in children
Depression (add-on treatment)
Irritability associated with autistic disorder in children
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