Latuda (Generic Lurasidone) Drug Information

Latuda (Generic Lurasidone) Drug Information Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Print Latuda (Generic Lurasidone) Drug Information By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on June 23, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 24, 2019 Paul Bradbury/Getty Images More in Bipolar Disorder Treatment Medications Symptoms Diagnosis Latuda (lurasidone) is one of the newer generation of antipsychotic medications that are called atypical. Latuda was first approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in 2010. The Food and Drug Administration then approved its use to help in the treatment of bipolar depression in the summer of 2013.   Common Antipsychotic Warnings Like all antipsychotic drugs, Latuda carries a boxed warning  saying it is not approved for use in elderly patients with dementia due to increased risk of death. There is the potential for developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome  (NMS) when taking Latuda. Symptoms can include abnormally high fever, rigid muscles, profuse sweating, irregular heartbeat, and other symptoms. Kidney failure can result. Although rare, this is an extremely serious and potentially fatal condition, so it is important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment at once. Although tardive dyskinesia  (TD) is rarer among patients taking the atypical antipsychotics compared to the older  typical  agents, TD may still rarely develop in patients taking Latuda. The most common presentation of tardive dyskinesia is forms of uncontrolled facial movements. Again, know the symptoms of this condition and contact your doctor at once if they appear. There are additional warnings common to all antipsychotics about less serious possible side effects. Read all the literature accompanying your prescription carefully. Weight Issues, Blood Sugar and Fats, and Diabetes All antipsychotic medications also carry warnings about the possibility of weight gain, increased blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides, with the potential to lead to diabetes. However, the clinical trials and studies so far have indicated that Latudas effect on weight is more complex. One study found that some patients gained weight while others lost weight. Overall, it is currently considered not to be associated with weight gain. Common Side Effects The most common side effects in clinical trials were: SleepinessNauseaAkathisia, characterized by inner restlessness and the inability to sit or stand still, andParkinsonism, with symptoms including tremor, difficulty walking, stiff muscles and others. The latter two are movement disorders that can be serious and/or extremely distressing, so again, knowing the symptoms is recommended. Dystonia, another movement disorder, was less frequent but still significantly higher in patients taking Latuda than in those who took a  placebo. Dystonia is characterized by muscles contracting parts of the body abnormally. Dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia are  extrapyramidal side effects. Use in Pregnancy Latuda has not yet been studied in humans. At this time, the recommendation is that the drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Latuda, make sure to discuss this with your physician.