lurasidone
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.
What is Latuda (lurasidone)?
What is Latuda (lurasidone) used for?
- 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)
How Latuda (lurasidone) works
Latuda (lurasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic. It's not exactly known how it works to help with schizophrenia and bipolar depression.
Researchers think it balances out how much dopamine and serotonin is in your brain. These chemicals play a role in helping to control your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Drug facts
Side effects of Latuda (lurasidone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Movement problems (e.g., tremors, slow movement, stiff muscles)
- Can't stay still (restlessness)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Lower appetite
- Blurry vision
- Rash
- Itching
- High blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Trouble sleeping
- Infection
- Anxiety
Latuda (lurasidone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: fever, sweating, stiff muscles, confusion, not aware of your surroundings, uneven heartbeat
- Body movements that you can't control: face twitching, eye twitching, mouth movements, sticking out your tongue, rocking back and forth, arm swinging
- Serious infection: fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough, weakness
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Seizure
- Trouble swallowing
More on Latuda (lurasidone) side effects
The following Latuda (lurasidone) side effects have also been reported
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.
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Pros and cons of Latuda (lurasidone)
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
Pharmacist tips for Latuda (lurasidone)
- Take Latuda (lurasidone) once a day at the same time every day. Take it with food or a meal with at least 350 calories. This helps your body absorb the medication better so it can work as best as possible for you.
- Swallow the Latuda (lurasidone) tablet whole. Don't cut the tablet in half unless your prescriber said it's okay. Talk to your prescriber if you have trouble swallowing tablets whole. There could be other medications that might be easier for you to take.
- Latuda (lurasidone) can make you sleepy and dizzy. Don't drive or use heavy machines until you know how the medication affects you. Let your prescriber know if you feel too sleepy and dizzy and it's hard for you to do your day-to-day things.
- Latuda (lurasidone) can make your blood pressure drop and make you feel dizzy when you're changing positions. This is more common when you start treatment and when you switch to a higher dose. Get up slowly and try to hold onto something to keep you stable. Get medical help right away if you fall or hit your head.
- Tell your prescriber if you notice strange and bothersome body movements while taking Latuda (lurasidone). These can include moving very slowly, tremors, and stiff muscles. It can also include tardive dyskinesia, which are movements you can't control. It can look like face twitching, sticking out your tongue, and swinging your arms. Your prescriber can help you with these problems.
- Drink plenty of fluids while taking Latuda (lurasidone). This medication can make it harder for your body to cool down. So it's very important to stay hydrated when you exercise hard or go to hot places. This lowers the risk of getting dehydrated and overheated. Talk to a healthcare professional if you feel very hot or thirsty, don't sweat or urinate much, or have dark urine. These can be signs of dehydration.
- Although rare, Latuda (lurasidone) can make you have trouble swallowing. This can raise the risk of choking. Make sure to take small bites of food and eat slowly to lower your risk.
- Tell your healthcare team know about all the medications you take and plan to take. Latuda (lurasidone) can interact with a lot of medications. This includes some antifungals, antibiotics, seizure medications, and heart medications. Your care team can make sure all your medications are safe to take together.
- If you've been taking Latuda (lurasidone) for a long time, don't suddenly stop taking it without talking to your prescriber. Stopping too fast can cause withdrawal symptoms, which can feel uncomfortable. You might have stomach upset, headaches, and movement problems. It can also make your mood problems come back. If you want to stop, your prescriber will help you lower your dose over time before stopping completely.
Common questions about Latuda (lurasidone)
We don't exactly know when Latuda (lurasidone) starts to work. This is because it can be different for everyone. In general, studies show that the medication helps with schizophrenia and bipolar depression by 6 weeks of treatment. One study found that it could start to help with bipolar depression within 2 weeks. But remember, each person can have a different experience with Latuda (lurasidone). Keep taking the medication exactly as prescribed, even if you don't feel better right away. If you're not sure Latuda (lurasidone) is working for you, talk to your prescriber.
Stopping Latuda (lurasidone) too suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. It can make you have stomach upset and headaches. You also might have movement issues and trouble sleeping. This can be uncomfortable. Also, symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and depression might come back or get worse. Make sure to take Latuda (lurasidone) exactly as prescribed. If you want to stop the medication, talk to your prescriber. If it's the right choice for you, they'll slowly lower your dose over time before completely stopping taking the medication. Follow their instructions carefully.
It's possible to gain weight while taking Latuda (lurasidone). But the risk appears to be quite low compared to some other antipsychotics. And if it happens, it's usually not by much. In studies, people who took Latuda (lurasidone) gained only an average of about 1 pound over 6 weeks. In general, follow a nutritious diet and stay active while taking Latuda (lurasidone). This helps you stay healthy. Talk to your prescriber if you're worried about your weight during treatment.
Yes, feeling sleepy is one of the most common side effects of Latuda (lurasidone). But some people can also have trouble sleeping while they're taking this medication. So, when you first start Latuda (lurasidone), see if and how it affects your sleep. Talk to your prescriber if it's making you too sleepy or interrupting your sleep. Your prescriber makes changes to your dose or suggest a better time of day for you to take it to help.
No. Latuda (lurasidone) isn't a controlled substance. It doesn't have a known risk of addiction, misuse, or dependence.
It's not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Latuda (lurasidone). Alcohol can worsen symptoms of your mental health condition. And it can worsen side effects of the medication, like nausea, sleepiness, and dizziness. Talk to your prescriber about how much you usually drink. If you need help not to drink, your care team can give you resources to help.
There are certain medications that you shouldn't take with Latuda (lurasidone). Some can make the amount of Latuda (lurasidone) in your body go very high. This raises your risk of dangerous and serious side effects. Examples include ketoconazole, voriconazole, clarithromycin, and ritonavir. Other medications, like rifampin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, do the opposite. They can make the amount of Latuda (lurasidone) in your body go down. This can make your antipsychotic not work well. Tell your care team about all the medications and supplements you take or plan to take. They can check for drug interactions and make changes to your treatment plan to keep you safe if needed.
If you're pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, talk to your prescriber or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). They can explain the risks and benefits of taking Latuda (lurasidone). Some studies say that atypical antipsychotics might not raise the risk of miscarriage or birth defects. But it could cause problems for mothers, like gestational diabetes. Also, taking these medications late in pregnancy can make muscle problems and distress more likely to happen in newborns. But not taking your medication might also cause your condition to get worse. If you take Latuda (lurasidone), your prescriber might suggest joining a pregnancy registry. This special program helps researchers learn more about taking antipsychotics like Latuda (lurasidone) during pregnancy.
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Risks and warnings for Latuda (lurasidone)
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 of suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Risk factors: Ages 24 years or younger | History of depression or other mental health conditions
Studies show that medications for depression, including Latuda (lurasidone), can raise the risk that you could have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself. The risk is highest in children and young adults under 25.
Watch for changes in behaviors and depression symptoms while taking Latuda (lurasidone). This is most important during the first few months of treatment and when your dose changes. Tell your prescriber if your depression gets worse. Call 911 right away if you or someone else notices that you start thinking about or acting like you want to hurt yourself.
Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
People 65 years and older with dementia can sometimes see, hear, or believe things that aren't real. This is called dementia-related psychosis. Studies show that older adults with this problem taking antipsychotic medications like Latuda (lurasidone) have a higher risk of stroke or death. Most of the time, these deaths were from heart problems or infections.
Because of this risk, Latuda (lurasidone) is not approved for older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Tell your prescriber if you have dementia before starting this medication. Caregivers should also tell the prescriber if the person they care for has dementia.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Antipsychotic medications like Latuda (lurasidone) have been linked to a rare but serious problem called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help as soon as you can if you have signs of NMS. They can include a high fever, a lot of sweating, stiff muscles, an uneven heartbeat, and confusion. You might have to stop taking Latuda (lurasidone) to treat these symptoms.
Trouble controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
- Risk factors: Older adults | Female 65 years and older | Higher-than-recommended doses of Latuda (lurasidone) | Taking Latuda (lurasidone) for a long time
Antipsychotics like Latuda (lurasidone) can cause movements you can't control. This is called tardive dyskinesia. It can look like face twitching, mouth movements, and sticking out your tongue. Other examples include rocking back and forth or swinging your arms.
The risk for these movement problems, and for them to become permanent, goes up if you take the medication for a long time or at a high dose. To help lower the risk, your prescriber will give you the lowest dose for the shortest time needed.
If you notice any unusual movements you can't control, stop taking Latuda (lurasidone) and call your prescriber right away.
Changes in blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight
- Risk factors: Diabetes | High cholesterol
Some people taking Latuda (lurasidone) might have higher blood sugar. Tell your prescriber if you or a family member has diabetes. You might need to check your blood sugar more often. Tell them if it stays higher than usual. Also watch for signs like feeling very thirsty, hungry, or needing to urinate more often. These could be signs that your blood sugar is high.
Antipsychotics like Latuda (lurasidone) might also make your cholesterol and triglycerides go up. Get blood tests done when your prescriber tells you. This helps keep track of your cholesterol.
In addition, some people might gain a little weight while taking Latuda (lurasidone). But gaining weight is usually less likely with this medication than some other antipsychotics. Try to eat balanced, nutritious meals and stay active. If you're worried about your weight, talk to your prescriber or primary care provider.
Low blood pressure and risk of falls
- Risk factors: 65 years and older | Low blood pressure | Dehydration | Heart problems | Previous stroke | Taking blood pressure medications | First starting Latuda (lurasidone) or when the dose goes up
Latuda (lurasidone) can make your blood pressure drop when you stand up. This can make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, and faint. These effects can make you lose your balance, leading to falls or accidental injuries.
The risk is higher for older adults. It's also greatest when you first start Latuda (lurasidone) and when you switch to a higher dose.
Make sure to get up slowly and hold onto something when you stand after sitting or lying down. If you feel dizzy, sit back down until you feel better. Call your prescriber if you feel too dizzy or if you fall while taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Trouble concentrating and extreme sleepiness
- Risk factors: Age 65 years and older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can make you sleepy and have trouble thinking
Latuda (lurasidone) can make you very sleepy, which can raise your risk of falls. It can also make it hard to think, pay attention, and react quickly.
Your risk of these side effects is higher if you also take other medications that make you sleepy. Examples include benzodiazepines, opioid medications, and muscle relaxants.
These side effects can make driving or doing other things dangerous. Be sure you know how Latuda (lurasidone) affects you before doing anything that needs your full attention. Tell your prescriber if it makes you too sleepy and it's hard to go about your daily life.
High prolactin levels
Latuda (lurasidone) can raise your prolactin levels. When your prolactin levels are high, it can cause milky discharge from the nipple and larger breasts. You might also have irregular menstrual periods or sexual dysfunction. Talk to your prescriber if you notice any of these symptoms while taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Lower white blood cell count (leading to possible risk of infection)
- Risk factors: History of low blood cell counts
Some people who took antipsychotics like Latuda (lurasidone) had a drop in their white blood cell counts. White blood cells are important for fighting off germs. So when you have a low white blood cell count, it can put you at risk of getting infections.
People who already have a low white blood cell count might need blood tests often during the first few months of treatment. This helps the care team check that your blood cell count is okay. If it drops too much, you'll probably need to stop taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Call your care team right away if you have any signs of infection while taking Latuda (lurasidone). Watch for signs like fever, tiredness, chills, cough, and trouble breathing.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures | Health conditions that make it easier to have a seizure
Latuda (lurasidone) might raise the risk of seizures in certain people. Tell your prescriber if you've had a seizure before or have a medical condition makes seizures more likely to happen. They can help you decide if Latuda (lurasidone) is right for you. Call for medical help if you have a seizure.
Risk of manic episode
Although rare, taking Latuda (lurasidone) for bipolar depression can raise the risk of having a manic episode. It can look like having high energy and acting recklessly. You might also have racing thoughts or ideas, be more talkative, or speak faster than usual. Call your prescriber right away if you or someone else notices any strange changes in the way you act while you're taking this medication.
Higher risk of side effects in people with Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia
People who have Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia might be more sensitive to medications like Latuda (lurasidone). This means they're more likely to have side effects from the medication. They're more likely to feel confused. They could also be unsteady on their feet and have problems moving their body. This can raise the risk of falls. They could also be more likely to have signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Get medical help right away if you or your family notices these side effects while you're taking Latuda (lurasidone).
Latuda (lurasidone) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mg | 30 tablets | $14.54 | $0.48 |
| 40mg | 30 tablets | $17.27 | $0.58 |
| 60mg | 30 tablets | $19.62 | $0.65 |
| 80mg | 30 tablets | $21.27 | $0.71 |
| 120mg | 30 tablets | $25.13 | $0.84 |
Typical dosage for Latuda (lurasidone)
Take Latuda (lurasidone) once a day with at least 350 calories of food.
-
Schizophrenia
- Ages 18 years and older: The typical starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once a day. The maximum dose is 160 mg per day.
- Ages 13 to 17 years: The typical starting dose is 40 mg by mouth once a 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 a day. The maximum dose is 120 mg per day.
- Ages 10 to 17 years: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once a day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.
In general, your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how well it's working for you and if you have bothersome side effects.
To keep you safe, your prescriber will also change your dose if you have kidney or liver problems. Another reason they might adjust the dose is if you take a medication that interacts with Latuda (lurasidone).
More on Latuda (lurasidone) dosage
Interactions between Latuda (lurasidone) and other drugs
More on Latuda (lurasidone) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Boceprevir
- Bromopride
- Carbamazepine
- Clarithromycin
- Cobicistat
- Conivaptan
- Darunavir
- Enzalutamide
- Fosphenytoin
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Lopinavir
- Metoclopramide
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Phenytoin
- Posaconazole
- Primidone
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- St John's Wort
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tipranavir
- Voriconazole
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.
- Abiraterone Acetate
- Amprenavir
- Aprepitant
- Atazanavir
- Buprenorphine
- Ceritinib
- Ciprofloxacin
- Crizotinib
- Delavirdine
- Diltiazem
- Duvelisib
- Erythromycin
- Fluconazole
- Fosamprenavir
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Imatinib
- Ivosidenib
- Larotrectinib
- Lefamulin
- Letermovir
- Lorlatinib
- Lumacaftor
- Methadone
- Netupitant
- Remifentanil
- Verapamil
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Latuda (lurasidone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Latuda (lurasidone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Take medications that interact with Latuda (lurasidone). Examples include ritonavir (Norvir), rifampin, some seizure medications, and St. John's wort.
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