All About Latuda

What are Latuda’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Latuda may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Latuda may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you may be taking

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Latuda. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. For more details, you can see this article.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Latuda can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Latuda’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Latuda that have been reported include:

• weight gain
• sleepiness
• nausea
• akathisia (a movement disorder with restlessness)
• extrapyramidal symptoms (a disorder that causes symptoms, such as muscle contractions, restlessness, muscle rigidity, and tremor)
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Latuda can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Latuda, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Latuda that have been reported include:

• sexual side effects, including:
  • erectile dysfunction (inability to have or maintain an erection)
  • priapism (a painful erection that lasts for hours)
• changes in moods, such as feeling:
  • anger
  • aggression
  • depression
  • anxiety
• tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder)
• high blood sugar level and diabetes
• high blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat)
• high level of the hormone prolactin
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a rare but possibly life threatening condition
• low levels of white blood cells
• low blood pressure, which may lead to dizziness or fainting
• problems managing your body temperature, which could lead you to feel too warm
• problems swallowing
• boxed warnings:*
  • increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis that’s related to dementia
  • suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults
• severe allergic reaction?

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Latuda?” section.
? To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Latuda.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Latuda. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What is Latuda’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Latuda that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Latuda comes as tablets that you’ll take by mouth. It’s available in these strengths:

• 20 milligrams (mg)
• 40 mg
• 60 mg
• 80 mg
• 120 mg

Recommended dosages

Depending on the reason you’re taking Latuda, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate dosage. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of the drug and increase your dose if needed.

If you’re an adult with schizophrenia, the maximum dose of Latuda you can take is 160 mg. But if you’re an adult with bipolar 1 disorder, the maximum dose you can take is 120 mg.

The maximum dose of Latuda for children and adolescents is 80 mg.

To learn more about Latuda’s dosage, see this article.

Questions about taking Latuda

Below, we answer some common questions about taking Latuda.

• Can Latuda be chewed, crushed, or cut in half? No, you should not chew, crush, or cut Latuda tablets in half. Instead, you must take the tablets whole. If you have problems swallowing medications, your doctor or pharmacist can provide strategies to help you take Latuda.
• Should I take Latuda with food? Yes, you should take Latuda with food that contains a minimum of 350 calories.
• What if I miss a dose of Latuda? If you miss a dose of Latuda, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to when your next dose is due, just skip the missed dose. Then, take your next scheduled dose as usual. If you’re unsure about when to take your next dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Will I need to use Latuda long term? It depends on what you’re using Latuda to treat. For schizophrenia, you’ll likely use the drug long term if Latuda works to manage your symptoms. For depressive episodes related to bipolar 1 disorder, you may use the drug either short term or long term. Your doctor can discuss with you how long you should take Latuda.
• How long does Latuda take to work? How long it takes for Latuda to work may vary from person to person. Talk with your doctor to find out how long Latuda will take before it starts working for your condition.

Overdose

Do not take more Latuda than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by a Latuda overdose can include:

• irregular heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• seizures
• decreased alertness
• uncontrollable movement of the muscles in your face, neck, abdomen, pelvis, and throat

What to do in case you take too much Latuda

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Latuda. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

What are some frequently asked questions about Latuda?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Latuda.

Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Latuda?

No, you won’t have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Latuda. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body depends on to function like usual.)

But, newborns who had exposure to an antipsychotic during the last trimester of pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms. (And keep in mind that Latuda is an antipsychotic.)

Possible withdrawal symptoms that a newborn may have include:

• agitation
• shaking
• increased or decreased muscle tone
• sleepiness
• breathing problems
• trouble feeding

Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking this drug while pregnant. And for more information about using Latuda during pregnancy, see the “What should be considered before taking Latuda?” section below.

Is Latuda used to treat anxiety or bipolar 2 disorder?

Latuda isn’t approved to treat anxiety or bipolar 2 disorder. But it may be prescribed off-label for treating these or other conditions. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Instead, Latuda is approved to treat:

• depressive episodes related to bipolar 1 disorder
• schizophrenia

With bipolar 1 disorder, you have at least one manic episode, and you may or may not have depressive episodes as well. During manic episodes, you may have increased activity and feel very happy or excited. With bipolar 2 disorder, on the other hand, you have at least one hypomania episode and one depressive episode. A hypomania episode is a mania episode that’s shorter in length and less intense.

If you have questions about whether Latuda is right for your condition, talk with your doctor.

How does Latuda work?

It’s still not known for sure how Latuda works to treat schizophrenia and bipolar 1 disorder.

It’s thought that the medication works on serotonin and dopamine receptors (attachment sites) in your brain. The brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine may be involved in schizophrenia and bipolar 1 disorder.

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about how Latuda works.

What is Latuda used for?

Latuda is a prescription drug that’s used to treat:

• schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13 years and older
• depressive episodes of bipolar 1 disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
• depressive episodes of bipolar 1 disorder in adults who are also taking either:
  • lithium (Lithobid), or
  • valproate, valproic acid, or divalproex (Depakote)

With schizophrenia, which is a long-term mental health condition, you may have:

• hallucinations
• delusions (strongly believing something that’s false)
• disturbances in your thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors

With bipolar 1 disorder, you have at least one manic episode. You may or may not experience depressive episodes as well. During manic episodes, you may feel excessively happy and excited. And you may have symptoms of psychosis. This is unlike depressive episodes, during which you can feel sad or depressed.

Depending on your condition, your doctor may prescribe Latuda alone or with certain other medications.

What should be considered before taking Latuda?

Below is important information you should consider before taking Latuda.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Latuda, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

For more information about Latuda and interactions, see this in-depth article.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Latuda. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Latuda. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Other interactions

Latuda can also interact with other substances, such as:

• Foods: Grapefruit can interact with Latuda. You should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this drug. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about this interaction.
• Herbs: The herb St. John’s wort can interact with Latuda. You should avoid taking St. John’s wort while taking Latuda. For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is not known to interact with Latuda. However, alcohol may worsen some side effects of Latuda, including sleepiness. Before starting Latuda, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Latuda is safe to take during pregnancy.

The effects of Latuda in pregnancy haven’t been studied. But studies of other antipsychotic drugs have been done. They suggest that Latuda may cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns if they had exposure to Latuda as a fetus during the third trimester of pregnancy. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when the body stops receiving a drug it depends on to function like usual.

Possible withdrawal symptoms that may occur in newborns include:

• agitation
• increase or decrease in muscle tone
• shaking
• sleepiness
• breathing difficulty
• trouble with feeding

If you use Latuda during pregnancy, consider enrolling in Latuda’s pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect information about the risks and effects of a drug during pregnancy. To enroll in the registry and report side effects of Latuda during pregnancy, call 866-961-2388. Or visit the registry’s site. And be sure to talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Latuda during pregnancy.

It’s also not known whether Latuda passes into breast milk or if it affects how your body makes breast milk. The effect on children who are breastfed by people taking Latuda is also unknown. If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks of having you take Latuda.

Boxed warnings

Latuda has boxed warnings. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. Older adults with psychosis related to dementia who are taking antipsychotics have an increased risk of dying. (With psychosis, you have an impaired idea of reality. And with dementia, you have loss of memory or other brain functions.)

Most of these deaths occur because of heart failure or infection. Older adults with dementia-related psychosis taking antipsychotics have also been shown to have a higher risk of stroke.

Keep in mind that Latuda is an antipsychotic, but it isn’t prescribed to treat dementia-related psychosis.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults. Studies show that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 24 years or younger). Keep in mind that Latuda is prescribed for depressive episodes in people with bipolar 1 disorder.

The risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is believed to be highest during the first few months of antidepressant treatment and whenever your doctor changes your dosage. But these side effects may occur at any time during treatment.

Some people may have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors. For example, people with an increased risk include those who’ve had or whose family members have had:

• depression
• bipolar disorder
• suicidal thoughts or actions in the past

Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• thoughts about suicide or dying
• attempts to die by suicide
• new or worsened depression, anxiety, or irritability
• agitation
• restlessness
• trouble sleeping
• panic attacks
• an extreme increase in activity or talking, which are both symptoms of mania

Other warnings

Latuda can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Latuda is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Latuda. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• diabetes
• heart problems, such as heart failure or high blood pressure
• high blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (type of fat)
• increased level of a hormone called prolactin
• kidney problems, such as chronic kidney disease
• liver problems, such as liver cirrhosis (severe scarring of the liver)
• low white blood cell counts
• orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when getting up from a seated or lying down position)
• seizures
• stroke in the past
• tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable body movements)
• past allergic reaction to Latuda
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

What does Latuda cost?

Regardless of whether you have health insurance, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Latuda. What you’ll pay for Latuda may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Latuda when using coupons from the site.
• Generic form: Latuda is available as the generic drug lurasidone. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic lurasidone could be an option for you.
• Savings program: If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The Latuda Copay Savings Card may also be an option.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions. To learn more about Latuda’s cost, see this article.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline. Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Latuda:

• aripiprazole (Abilify)
• cariprazine (Vraylar)
• quetiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR)
• olanzapine (Zyprexa)