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EspañolLatuda overview
BRAND NAMES:
Latuda
Generic Names:
No generic is available at this time
Uses:
Treats schizophrenia and depression caused by bipolar disorder
Therapeutic Classes:
Central nervous system agent, antipsychotic
Forms:
Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Latuda used for?
Latuda, along with other atypical antipsychotic medications except Clozaril (clozapine), is considered as first-line therapy for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is also approved in the treatment of bipolar I disorder, also known as bipolar depression. It has been used off-label in the treatment of severe behavioral or psychological components of dementia. Off-label use indicates use for which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not provided official indication approval but for which there are general outcomes supporting effective use. However, many healthcare providers feel this drug should not be used in the elderly.
Latuda is an atypical, second-generation antipsychotic. This class is generally preferred over first-generation antipsychotics due to fewer bothersome side effects.
You should not suddenly stop taking Latuda as your behavioral symptoms could become worse and there could be withdrawal symptoms. Work with your healthcare provider if you feel Latuda is no longer right for you.
You should not take Latuda if you have a history of or develop certain hematological diseases or medical conditions such as leukemia, neutropenia, or agranulocytosis.
While Latuda is approved in children aged 10 years and older for schizophrenia and 13 years and older for bipolar depression, it should not be used in children of any age for major depressive disorder. There is a boxed warning on atypical antipsychotic drugs for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.
Latuda should be taken every day at approximately the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food.
What form(s) does Latuda come in
Tablet
20 mg
40 mg
60 mg
80 mg
120 mg
What are common Latuda doses?
Schizophrenia: 40 mg by mouth once daily with food as a recommended starting dose. Max adult dose of 160 mg per day.
Bipolar depression: 20 mg by mouth once daily with food as a recommended starting dose. The max adult dose of 120 mg per day.
Severe behavioral or psychological symptoms of dementia (dementia-related psychosis): No data to establish the recommended dose. The maximum dose in geriatric patients is 160 mg per day.
Common Latuda prescriptions
Latuda
120mg tabletLatuda
20mg tabletLatuda
40mg tabletLatuda
60mg tabletLatuda
80mg tablet
How to take Latuda
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
This medicine should come with a medication guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Oral route:
It is best to take this medicine with food or milk.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
What to do if you miss a dose of Latuda
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Latuda contraindications
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to lurasidone.
Latuda warnings
This medicine may cause some people to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors. It may also cause some people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. If you or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood or bone marrow problems, diabetes, prolactin-dependent breast cancer, Parkinson's disease, trouble swallowing, or a history of seizures or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have any kind of blood vessel or heart problems, including low blood pressure, heart failure, a low amount of blood, heart rhythm problems, or a history of a heart attack or stroke. There are inadequate studies in pregnant women to determine safety, so you should only use Latuda when pregnant if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Increased risk of stroke
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder)
Changes in blood sugar levels
This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.
This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or to have trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine might reduce how much you sweat and control body temperature. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might vomit or have an upset stomach. Do not get too hot while you are exercising. Avoid places that are very hot.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Latuda interactions
Do not use this medicine if you are using certain other medicines including carbamazepine, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, St John's wort, or voriconazole.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, have trouble with thinking, or have trouble with controlling body movements. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.
Some medicines can affect how lurasidone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Atazanavir, bosentan, diltiazem, efavirenz, erythromycin, etravirine, fluconazole, modafinil, nafcillin, or verapamil
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.
This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.
This medicine should not be used to treat mental disorders in elderly people who have dementia. Using this medicine to treat this condition could increase the risk for serious side effects, including risk of death. Make sure the doctor knows if the person who will be using this medicine has forgetfulness or confusion related to aging (such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia).
This medicine might reduce how much you sweat. Your body could get too hot if you do not sweat enough. If your body gets too hot, you might feel dizzy, weak, tired, or confused. You might vomit or have an upset stomach. Do not get too hot while you are exercising. Avoid places that are very hot. Call your doctor if you are too hot and cannot cool down.
Latuda side effects
While Latuda and other second-generation antipsychotics are easier to tolerate than their first-generation counterparts, there is still the possibility of common side effects and adverse events associated with their use. Although rare, some possible side effects can be very severe or even fatal. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) can result from Latuda. This reaction is very rare, but when it occurs, it can be fatal. Symptoms of NMS include hyperpyrexia (severe itching), muscle rigidity, autonomic instability (irregular heartbeat and blood pressure), and altered mental status. You are at the highest risk of this occurring when your dose is increased. If you have symptoms of NMS, you should seek medical attention immediately.
If you experience sudden changes in your thoughts or begin to contemplate suicide, you should seek medical help immediately.
If you develop a blood disorder while taking Latuda, such as leukopenia or neutropenia, your prescriber should discontinue Latuda immediately. The below list of side effects and adverse events is not intended to be all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for more information.
Serious side effects
Seizures
Sweating, muscle stiffness
Mood or behavioral changes, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others
Neck muscle spasms, throat tightness, trouble swallowing or breathing, or sticking out of the tongue
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and increased risk for diabetes
Chest pain, fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Confusion, double vision, headache, trouble speaking, thinking, or walking
Fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, body aches
Increased thirst, hunger, or urination
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting caused by orthostatic hypotension
Tardive dyskinesia: twitching or muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
Other extrapyramidal symptoms: motor restlessness, muscle spasms and contractions, and tremor
Less serious side effects
Weight gain
Anxiety or restlessness
Trouble sleeping.
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach
Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness, tiredness
Sources:
Lurasidone (latuda®): an atypical antipsychotic, Issues Ment Health Nurs (2012)
Lurasidone: A Clinical Overview, J Clin Psychiatry (2011)
Latuda, DailyMed NIH, (2023)