If you have schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder, your doctor may prescribe a daily pill called lurasidone (Latuda). It’s an atypical or second-generation antipsychotic (SGA). Like other SGAs, lurasidone balances your dopamine and serotonin levels. These are hormones that affect your mood, thoughts, or actions.
Like any drug, lurasidone can cause unwanted side effects. Some lurasidone side effects are mild, but others can be serious. Here’s what can happen if you take this medicine.
Muscle Movement Problems
Lurasidone can cause serious muscle movement reactions called extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Your muscles might move or twitch on their own, for example. Or you may find it hard to move. You may get fewer symptoms on a lower dose or if you take lurasidone at night, but that’s not practical for some people. So, you should speak with your doctor to see what’s best for you.
Types of EPS include:
- Dystonia: Repeated muscle contractions that you can't control
- Akathisia: Restlessness, inability to sit still, tapping your foot
- Parkinsonian symptoms: Slow movement or inability to bend, mask-like face, shuffling when walking, and excessive saliva
- Tardive dyskinesia: Inability to control muscles in your face and upper body, causing you to smack your lips, move your jaw, puff out your cheeks, or push out your tongue
Weight Gain and Appetite Changes
Atypical antipsychotics can make you gain weight, especially in the first 6 months you take them. They may affect how your body uses energy. Some can raise your blood sugar or cholesterol levels. This can increase your chances of diabetes and heart disease.
But when compared to similar drugs, lurasidone may lead to less weight gain and fewer metabolism problems.
Your doctor may want to monitor your weight, especially in the first few months of treatment. They might also want to keep an eye on your glucose and cholesterol levels.
Elevated Prolactin Levels
There’s a chance that your body may make more of a hormone called prolactin when you’re on lurasidone, especially if you’re female. This can lead to irregular or missed periods, infertility, symptoms of menopause, and osteoporosis. High levels of prolactin could cause you to leak breast milk, even if you’re not nursing.
If you’re male, high prolactin levels could affect your testosterone levels and sperm production. You may be unable to get an erection and you might notice some tenderness or enlargement of the breasts. You may have less desire for sex.
Other Lurasidone Side Effects
Other less serious side effects that you should mention to your doctor if they are bothersome include:
- Drowsiness
- Burping
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Feeling like your nose is stuffed up or runny nose
- Insomnia, difficulty sleeping
- Gaining weight
Some side effects of lurasidone are more serious than others. Emergency medical situations for which you should call 911 include:
- Any swelling of your face, throat, lips, or tongue, which could be anaphylactic shock (a sign of a severe allergy) and can be life-threatening.
- Seizures
- Signs of a stroke:
- Change in balance
- Changes in vision
- Weakness affecting your face, arm, or leg on one side
- Confusion
- Severe headache
If you start to have any thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this is also a medical emergency. Go to the closest emergency room or call 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline.
These side effects should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions, such as hives, skin rash, and itching
- Signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which include increased thirst, increased urination, weakness, fatigue, and blurry vision
- High fever
- Stiff muscles
- Increased sweating
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Confusion
- Signs of an infection, such as fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
- Signs of low blood pressure, including feeling faint or fainting, feeling lightheaded
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Rarely, lurasidone can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This is a life-threatening reaction to some antipsychotic drugs.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome symptoms
See your doctor or go for emergency help right away if you notice these symptoms:
- A high fever of 102 F or above
- Muscle rigidity, stiff muscles
- Irregular heartbeat
- A spike or drop in blood pressure
- A fast heart rate
- Fast breathing
- Excessive sweating
- Altered mental status
Who Should Be Careful Taking Lurasidone?
Some people shouldn’t take lurasidone or should only take it with caution and under strict medical supervision. You must tell your doctor before taking this drug if you have any of these conditions or diseases:
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Have trouble controlling your muscles
- Heart disease, low blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels
- History of breast cancer or stroke
- History of high prolactin levels
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Low blood counts, such as low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
- Parkinson's disease
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
- Allergic reactions to lurasidone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
Another important thing to keep in mind is some other medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) that you take, can cause a reaction with lurasidone. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you are taking, including supplements, to ensure there aren’t any products that interact badly with lurasidone. Here are a few of the medications that may interact with lurasidone:
- Carbamazepine
- Antifungal medications, such as ketoconazole
- Antibiotics such as erythromycin
- Ritonavir
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and sertraline
- Some types of general anesthetics, such as halothane and propofol
- Blood pressure medications
- Seizure medications
- Narcotics
Who Shouldn’t Take Lurasidone?
Lurasidone has a black box warning for elderly people who have dementia. A black box warning is attached to medications that have serious health risks. In this case, it means there is an increased risk of dying if elderly people with dementia take this drug. The decision as to whether an elderly person with dementia should take the drug depends on the doctor, the patient, and the risks versus benefits.
What Else You Should Know?
This medicine may not work as well if you drink alcohol or use drugs, such as cannabis, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Side effects, such as sleepiness, may be worse.
Lurasidone can make it hard for your body to cool itself. Tell your doctor if you exercise a lot or if you’re going to be somewhere that’s hot. Be sure to drink enough water.
Don’t drink grapefruit juice while you’re on lurasidone. It can raise the amount of the drug in your body even if you’re still taking the same dose.
If you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about your medicine. It may not be safe for you or your baby if your schizophrenia goes untreated. But your baby could have movement problems or withdrawal symptoms if they’re exposed to antipsychotic drugs later in your pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor before you breastfeed. Experts aren’t sure if lurasidone will get into your breast milk.
Your side effects may go away with time. But you should tell your doctor about any symptoms that bother you or that you can’t control. You’ll need long-term treatment for your schizophrenia. So even if you feel better, don’t stop taking your medicine. Your symptoms could come back if you miss a dose.
What Happens When You Stop Taking Latuda Suddenly?
You shouldn't stop taking antipsychotic medications such as lurasidone suddenly. This can cause withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating
- Dry mouth
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Excessive restlessness
If your doctor decides you should stop or switch your medication, they will create a plan for you to gradually take smaller doses until you stop completely. This will avoid many if not all of these negative effects.
Takeaways
Lurasidone (Lutada) is an atypical or second-generation antipsychotic (SGA). It can cause several side effects, and some can be quite severe. You and your doctor will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the medication to decide if lurasidone is right for you. If you start taking lurasidone, speak with your care team about what you should do if you experience side effects.
Lurasidone Side Effects FAQ
What is the most common side effect of lurasidone?
There isn’t any one side effect that is most common if you take lurasidone. A few of the more common ones include being anxious, burping, and being drowsy.
What should I avoid while taking Latuda?
The most important things to avoid are alcohol, recreational drugs, and grapefruit juice. You should always discuss this with your doctor before starting the medication.
Does Latuda make you gain weight?
Not everyone who takes Latuda gains weight, but it is a possible side effect of the drug.
