Latuda (lurasidone) is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.
Latuda is used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
Latuda is also used to treat episodes of depression in people with bipolar disorder (manic depression).
Important information
Latuda is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Lurasidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Before you take Latuda, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, a history of heart attack or stroke, high cholesterol or triglycerides, low white blood cell (WBC) counts, seizures, diabetes, Parkinson"s disease, trouble swallowing, or a history of breast cancer or suicidal thoughts.
Some medicines can interact with lurasidone and should not be used at the same time. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use now, and any medicine you start or stop using.
While you are taking Latuda, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Latuda.
Latuda may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Latuda. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or pounding heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out, tremors, or twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Latuda if you are allergic to lurasidone.
Some medicines can interact with lurasidone and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use certain other medicines, including:
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antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole or voriconazole;
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an antibiotic such as clarithromycin or rifampin;
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an antiviral such as ritonavir;
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St. John"s wort; or
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seizure medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin.
Latuda is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Latuda may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
To make sure Latuda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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heart disease, high blood pressure;
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high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
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seizures or epilepsy;
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liver disease;
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kidney disease;
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low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
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personal or family history of diabetes (Latuda may raise your blood sugar);
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a history of abnormal hormone function tests (thyroid, pituitary gland);
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a history of breast cancer;
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a history of depression or bipolar disease (unless you are taking Latuda to treat depressive episodes);
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a history of suicidal thoughts or actions; or
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if you have ever had a stroke.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking medicine to treat depression. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. However, taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Latuda, do not stop taking it without your doctor"s advice.
It is not known whether lurasidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Latuda is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Latuda?
Take Latuda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Latuda should be taken with food (at least 350 calories).
Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Latuda.
You should not stop using lurasidone suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause other problems.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Latuda dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:
Initial dose: 40 mg orally once daily. Initial dose titration is not required.
Maximum dose: 160 mg once daily.
Comments: Should be taken with food (at least 350 calories). Administration with food substantially increases drug absorption.
Approved indication: Schizophrenia
Usual Adult Dose for Bipolar Disorder:
Initial dose: 20 mg orally once daily as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate. Initial dose titration is not required.
Maximum dose: 120 mg once daily as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate.
Comments: Should be taken with food (at least 350 calories). Administration with food substantially increases drug absorption.
Approved indication: Depressive episodes associated with Bipolar I Disorder
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking Latuda?
While you are taking Latuda, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Latuda.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with lurasidone and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking Latuda.
Latuda may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase certain side effects of lurasidone.
Latuda side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Latuda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
High doses or long-term use of Latuda can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take lurasidone, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in women and older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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breast swelling or tenderness, nipple discharge, changes in menstrual periods, vaginal dryness;
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dizziness, fainting, fast or slow heartbeats;
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trouble swallowing;
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seizure (convulsions), uncontrolled muscle movements;
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blood cell disorders - sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen gums, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
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high blood sugar - increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss; or
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severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Common Latuda side effects may include:
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drowsiness;
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nausea;
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feeling restless or being unable to sit still; or
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tremors, muscle stiffness, problems with muscle movement.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Latuda?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking Latuda with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or other medicines to treat mental illness.
Many drugs can interact with lurasidone. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with lurasidone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
