What Are the Side Effects of Lurasidone?

Commercials and advertisements for medications seem to be a constant part of our lives. These ads are found on television, the radio in your car, and even at the start of online videos. Often, at the end of those advertisements, we hear a fast-talking voice read off a long list of side effects related to the medication. We may miss some and misunderstand others.

But side effects are important to know about and be on the watch for. This is especially true for a medication you may need to take long-term for a chronic health condition. One example of a potentially long-term medication for many people is lurasidone (Latuda). This mental health medication can be an effective treatment option. But it’s not without risks.

Let’s take a look at lurasidone and explore some of the side effects associated with it. 

What is lurasidone?

Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic medication. The brand name for lurasidone is Latuda — likely the name most people know it by. The FDA approved Latuda to treat schizophrenia and depression associated with bipolar 1 disorder.

Latuda was first approved for adults only. But in the years that followed, the FDA approved Latuda to treat schizophrenia in adolescents ages 13 and older, as well as bipolar 1 disorder in children and adolescents ages 10 and older.

How does it work for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?

The way lurasidone works for schizophrenia and bipolar depression isn’t fully understood. But researchers think it attaches to receptors (chemical binding sites) for the chemical messengers dopamine and serotonin. This blocks the actions of these chemicals in certain areas of the brain. It also boosts serotonin’s activity in other parts of the brain. An imbalance of these two brain chemicals is believed to be linked to symptoms of both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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8 lurasidone side effects you should know about

Below is a list of some of the most important lurasidone side effects to know about. The first few were the most common that were reported during the clinical trials that helped earn Latuda its FDA approval.

The last few are more serious side effects. These rarely occur, but they’re important to know about and to be able to identify. These more serious side effects can happen with all antipsychotic medications, not just lurasidone. Two of these serious side effects are listed as boxed warnings for lurasidone. A boxed warning is the most serious warning issued about a medication by the FDA.

1. Somnolence

Somnolence is a term used to describe a group of different side effects. Somnolence may include sleepiness or drowsiness. But it can also mean sleeping for longer than usual. In clinical trials, somnolence happened to roughly 17% of study participants.

2. Akathisia

Akathisia is a sense of restlessness or an urge to move. Some people might describe it as being fidgety. And it often involves the legs. People experiencing akathisia may constantly cross and uncross their legs or shift their weight from one foot to the other. In clinical trials, akathisia occurred in about 13% of people taking lurasidone.

3. Extrapyramidal symptoms

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) covers a wide variety of uncontrollable body movements. These movements can be split into four main categories:

• Dystonia: Uncontrollable muscle contractions that cause abnormal positions or repetitive motions. For example, your foot could cramp up or turn in an odd direction.

• Akathisia: A sense of restlessness or urge to move, as explained above.

• Parkinsonism: Tremors in the trunk area or the hands or feet. This side effect could resemble some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

• Tardive dyskinesia: Involuntary movements in the face and tongue. This is a more serious side effect and will be covered in more detail a little later.

In clinical trials, researchers separated akathisia from other types of EPS when listing side effects. About 14% of study participants reported EPS other than akathisia.

4. Nausea

Feeling sick to your stomach is never a good feeling. But it’s one that can happen with a lot of medications. In clinical trials, about 10% of people taking lurasidone experienced nausea. Other stomach-related lurasidone side effects include vomiting and indigestion.

5. Higher risk of strokes and death in older adults with dementia

This is a boxed warning for all atypical antipsychotics, including lurasidone. Large studies have found that using these medications to treat psychosis related to dementia in older adults raises the risk of death from any cause. Medications like lurasidone also raise the risk of strokes in this group of people.

Because of this, lurasidone isn’t FDA-approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

6. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

This is another boxed warning for lurasidone. Atypical antipsychotics can cause suicidal thoughts or behaviors. People under age 25 are at a higher risk for this serious side effect. Because medications like lurasidone adjust how brain chemicals send messages, there’s a chance that you could experience depression symptoms. If you already have depression, it’s possible your symptoms could get worse.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice unusual changes in behavior or mood while taking lurasidone.

7. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious side effect that can happen with lurasidone. NMS is caused by a sudden drop in dopamine activity in the brain. This side effect can be life-threatening.

Symptoms include:

• High fever or body temperature

• Stiff muscles

• Feeling confused

• Changes in breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure

If you begin to experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

8. Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another rare but serious lurasidone side effect. As mentioned above, tardive dyskinesia is a type of EPS. It can cause uncontrollable movements all over the body. But it’s common to see these movements in the face and tongue. TD can continue after stopping lurasidone. 

If you begin to notice unusual body movements or tremors, follow up with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They’ll be able to determine if it’s a more common EPS or something serious, like tardive dyskinesia.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about lurasidone side effects?

Some of these side effects can be mild, while others are more serious or life-threatening. Mild side effects, like nausea, can likely be managed on your own. More serious side effects need to be handled by a healthcare provider. They may require a change in your medication dose or the type of medication you’re taking.

If you start to experience signs of serious side effects or anything unusual, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider for next steps.

What can I do to manage lurasidone side effects?

Side effects like nausea or somnolence can usually be managed at home, as long as they’re not interfering with your daily activities. Lurasidone works best when taken with food. But this tip can also help limit stomach-related side effects.

If drowsiness is an issue, consider taking your dose around bedtime. Your drowsiness may wear off by the time you wake up. Don’t drive or complete tasks requiring focus until you know how lurasidone affects you.

If any of these common side effects seem excessive or are bothersome, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may be able to offer further suggestions.

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Written by:

Clay M. Cooper, PharmD

Clay Cooper, PharmD, has over 10 years of pharmacy practice experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including in independent community pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and long-term care pharmacy. He is a licensed pharmacist in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

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:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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