Being diagnosed with a physical or mental condition can be extremely difficult. And what can be even more overwhelming is being prescribed a new medication for a condition. If you, or a loved one, have recently been prescribed Latuda, or are looking into possible treatments for a condition, you'll want to educate yourself about the medication. You are likely wondering about the history, use, and common Latuda side effects. You'll want to be aware of any familial medical issues that may impact your experience with this medication. You will also want to know the most dangerous side effects, and their symptoms, so that you know if and when to seek emergency medical attention.
Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. It comes in tablet form and is taken once daily, with food. Latuda's generic name is Lurasidone, and that is often the preferred name.
The manufacturer provides a list of guidelines to follow when taking Latuda.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while you take lurasidone since these can affect the amount of lurasidone in the blood
- Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how lurasidone affects you, it may make you drowsy
- Avoid getting overheated or dehydrated
- Do not over-exercise
- In hot weather, stay inside in a cool place if possible
- Stay out of the sun. Do not wear too much or heavy clothing
- Drink plenty of water
- Do not drink alcohol while taking lurasidone
In addition to less serious Latuda side effects, the FDA requires this medication to carry a black box warning. Elderly patients who are confused or experiencing dementia-related psychosis have an increased risk of death when prescribed this medication. Latuda is not approved for use in elderly patients with psychosis related to their dementia, but they still sometimes are prescribed it with devastating results.
Latuda also carries a black box warning for the increase of suicidal thoughts and behaviors sometimes seen in patients. The FDA encourages the family and friends of any patient placed on Latuda to watch for an emergence or increase of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Physicians take several factors into account when prescribing a dosage of Latuda. Some of these are the condition being treated, any medical conditions you may have, and any medications you may be taking for these conditions. They will also take into account your age and how you respond to psychotropic treatment.
When treating Schizophrenia, physicians tend to prescribe anywhere from 40mg to 80mg for adolescents, and 40mg to 160mg a day for adults. For the treatment of Bipolar Depression, they tend to prescribe in the range of 20mg to 80mg for adolescents, and 20mg to 120mg a day for adults.
When you think of interactions with a medication, you usually think of other medications or supplements. But in the case of some psychotropic medications, food can cause adverse reactions as well. Grapefruit, and grapefruit juice, as well as any products that use grapefruit derivates, can have potentially dangerous effects.
Medication and Supplement Interactions
You should always inform your physician of any medications you take, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter. There are specific types of drugs that tend to have more dangerous Latuda side effects when combined.
Drugs that treat the following are most likely to have dangerous interactions with Latuda:
- Depression
- High Blood Pressure
- Parkinson's Disease
- Trouble sleeping
- Abnormal heart beats or rhythm
- Epilepsy
- Inflammation Psychosis
Most Common Latuda Side Effects:
- Absence of or decrease in body movement
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Inability to sit still
- 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 Latuda Side Effects:
- 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
- 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
- Unusually pale skin
- Weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
Rare Latuda Side Effects:
- Black, tarry stools
- Bloody urine
- Breast pain or swelling
- Cough
- Dark-colored urine
- Decreased frequency or amount of urine
- Fever
- 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
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- Swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- Swollen glands
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
Latuda Side Effects Whose Incidence Is Not Known:
- Hives or welts, itching, skin rash
- Loss of consciousness
- Redness of the skin
- Swelling of the throat or tongue
- Tightness in the chest
Some Latuda side effects don't require medical attention and will go away on their own, as your body adjusts to the treatment. Your healthcare provider may have tips for you to prevent possible side effects. If any of the side effects is persistent or severe enough that you feel you need medical attention, seek immediate care.
Systemic Latuda Side Effect Statistics For Physicians
A more clinical look at Latuda side effects is also delineated for physicians.
Metabolic Latuda Side Effects
- Common
- 0.1% to 1%): Hyponatremia, increase in blood sugar levels/blood glucose increased
- Uncommon:
- 0.1% to 1%): Hyponatremia, increase in blood sugar levels/blood glucose increased
Gastrointestinal Latuda Side Effects
- Very Common:
- 10% or more): Nausea (up to 17.4%),
- dyspepsia (up to 11%)
- Common:
- (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, salivary hypersecretion, stomach discomfort, upper abdominal pain, vomiting
- Uncommon:
- (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia, flatulence, gastritis
- Frequently Not Reported:
- Difficulty swallowing, tongue protrusion, tongue spasm, tongue swelling
Nervous System Side Effects
- Very Common:
- (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 26%), akathisia (up to 22%), extrapyramidal disorder/symptoms (up to 22%), parkinsonism (up to 17%)
- Common:
- (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dyskinesia, dystonia/acute dystonia, tardive dyskinesia
- Uncommon:
- (0.1% to 1%): Cerebrovascular accident/adverse reactions, dysarthria, gait disturbance, lethargy, syncope, vertigo
- Rare:
- (less than 0.1%): Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures
- Frequently Not Reported:
- Abnormal glabellar reflex
- Bradykinesia
- Cogwheel rigidity
- Convulsion
- Drooling
- Hyperkinesia
- Hypersomnia
- Hypersomnolence
- Hypokinesia
- Motor impairment
- Oromandibular dystonia
- Sedation
- Stroke
- Tremor
Psychiatric Side Effects
- Very Common:
- (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 11%)
- Common:
- (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, psychomotor hyperactivity, restlessness
- Uncommon:
- (0.1% to 1%): Activation of mania/hypomania, catatonia, nightmare, panic attack, sleep disorder
- Rare:
- (less than 0.1%): Suicidal behavior/ideation
- Frequently Not Reported:
- Cognitive impairment
- Psychomotor retardation
Hematological Side Effects
- Uncommon:
- (0.1% to 1%): Anemia
- Rare:
- (less than 0.1%): Eosinophilia
- Frequently Not Reported:
- Agranulocytosis
- Leukopenia
- Neutropenia
Cardiovascular Side Effects
- Common:
- (1% to 10%): Hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Uncommon:
- (0.1% to 1%): Angina pectoris
- Atrioventricular (AV) block first degree
- Bradycardia
- Hot flush
- Hypotension
- Increased blood pressure
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Frequently Not Reported:
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Venous thromboembolism
Conclusion
Undergoing psychotropic treatment can be a very difficult, but rewarding experience. If you or a loved one have recently been prescribed Latuda or have been diagnosed with a condition treated by it, it's important to have the full scoop before starting treatment. While this medication has great results treating Schizophrenia and Bipolar Depression, it's always important to know any possible Latuda side effects of anything you take.
Because this medication can have severe interactions with medications, it's essential that you be totally honest with your physician about your family medical history. It's also imperative that you be aware of and disclose fully to your physician any over-the-counter or prescription medication that you take or have a history of taking. It is also important that while taking Latuda, you receive consistent medical attention to assess your body's reaction to the medication.
Dealing with mental illness can be isolating; don't face the battle alone. Check out our website for more information, reviews, and tips for leading a healthy life, even in the face of mental illness.
