What is Latuda?
Latuda is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. Its generic name is lurasidone. Latuda is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older. It can also be prescribed for the management of bipolar depression as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Latuda works by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to restore their balance and alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and mood disturbances. It is important to take Latuda as prescribed by a healthcare professional and to discuss any potential side effects or concerns with them.

Prescription Required.
Product of Canada.
Shipped from Canada.
Prescription Required. | Product of Canada. | Shipped from Canada. |
What is Latuda (lurasidone hydrochloride)?
Latuda is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics. Its generic name is lurasidone. Latuda is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and older. It can also be prescribed for the management of bipolar depression as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Latuda works by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain, helping to restore their balance and alleviate symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and mood disturbances. It is important to take Latuda as prescribed by a healthcare professional and to discuss any potential side effects or concerns with them.
What are the Indications for Latuda?
Latuda may be prescribed with another medication to treat:
- Bipolar depression in patients 10 years of age and older
- Schizophrenia in patients 13 years of age or older
Latuda is not recommended:
- If you are allergic to Latuda or any ingredients in Latuda
- For the treatment of dementia-related psychosis
How is Latuda used?
Storage
Latuda should be stored at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C – 25°C).
Keep out of reach of children.
Instruction
Take Latuda by mouth once daily, as directed by your doctor, with food (minimum 350 calories).
Dosage
Latuda is available in tablet form in the following strength: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg.
Bipolar depression
- For pediatric patients 10 – 17 years, the recommended starting dose is 20 mg daily up to 80 mg.
- For adult patients, the recommended starting dose is 20 mg daily up to 120 mg.
Schizophrenia
- For pediatric patients 13 – 17 years, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg daily up to 80 mg.
- For adult patients, the recommended starting dose is 40 mg daily up to 160 mg.
Do not change your dosage and take more than what is prescribed without consulting with your doctor. If you took more than prescribed, contact your doctor or seek emergency medical care right away.
Kidney and liver failure
- For patients with moderate to severe kidney failure, the recommended starting dose is 20 mg daily up to 80 mg.
- For patients with moderate to severe liver failure, the recommended starting dose is 20 mg daily up to 40 mg for severe liver failure or up to 80 mg for moderate liver failure.
Side Effects
It’s important to understand that although Latuda is FDA approved, it comes with side effects that may or may not affect you.
Before starting Latuda, you should discuss possible side effects with your doctor or pharmacist.
Common Side Effects
Not all side effects require medical attention. As your body adjusts to Latuda, side effects may go away.
Tell your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, and they become severe or do not go away on their own.
Adult patients
- Restlessness
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Slow or difficult movement
Pediatric patients
- Weight gain
- Sleeping problems
- Nausea
Serious Side Effects
Severe adverse reactions while taking Latuda can occur. Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Severe allergic reaction: severe rash or itching, swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, rapid heartbeat, fainting or dizziness, or problems breathing or swallowing.
- High blood pressure: blurred vision, pounding in ears or neck, severe headache.
- Stroke or seizures
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): high fever, increased sweating, confusion, changes in heart rate or breathing, and still muscles.
- Manic episodes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Weight gain
- High blood sugar
- Low white blood cell count
- Decreased blood pressure
- Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia)
The information above does not list all possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects not listed. You or your doctor may report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking Latuda, tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- If you are allergic to any medications such as Latuda
- If you have or have had heart problems such as stroke
- If you have, have had, or have a family history of diabetes or high blood sugar
- If you have or have had high or low blood pressure
- If you have or have had high prolactin levels
- If you have or have had a low white blood cell count
- If you have or have had high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides
- If you have or have had seizures
- If you have liver or kidney problems
- If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
Uncontrolled body movements (tardive dyskinesia)
Taking Latuda can result in uncontrolled movements of your body including your face and tongue. This condition may start even after you’ve stopped using Latuda and may not go away. If swelling occurs in your tongue or larynx, discontinue use and seek emergency medical attention.
Metabolism issues
Taking Latuda can result in the development of high blood sugar, diabetes, increased cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, and weight gain.
Symptoms of high blood sugar include feeling very thirsty, need to urinate often, feeling hungry, weak, or tired, feeling sick to your stomach, or confused. Contact your doctor if you exhibit any of these symptoms.
Low white blood cell count
Taking Latuda can result in low white blood cell count. Your doctor may require blood tests to monitor your white blood cells during the initial start of your treatment on Latuda.
Low Blood Pressure
Taking Latuda can decrease your blood pressure when you get up too quickly resulting in dizziness.
Prone to Falls
Taking Latuda may slow your motor skills, cause lightheadedness or dizziness, and decrease your blood pressure making you more susceptible to falling which can cause injuries.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Taking Latuda may lead to a serious condition such as Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) which can result in death.
Symptoms include stiff muscles, confusion, high fever, changes in heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Contact your doctor right away if you exhibit any of these symptoms.
Mania or hypomania
If you have or have had a history of bipolar disorder, taking Latuda may cause manic episodes.
Symptoms include increased energy, reckless behavior, racing thoughts, unusual ideas, excessive irritability or happiness, excessive talking, or problems sleeping. Contact your doctor right away if you exhibit any of these symptoms.
Increased prolactin levels in your blood
Taking Latuda may increase the prolactin levels in your blood. Your doctor may require blood tests to monitor your prolactin levels during your treatment on Latuda.
Symptoms include in females, the absence of your menstrual period and secretion of breast milk when not breastfeeding or in males, enlargement of breasts, and erectile dysfunction.
Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Studies have not been conducted on pregnant women. Consult with your doctor to determine if treatment is appropriate and register with the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics. Registration can be completed by calling 1- 866-961-2388 or online through http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-researchprograms/pregnancyregistry/.
Breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
Studies have not been conducted to determine if Latuda will pass through to human milk. However, studies show Latuda passes through rat milk. Consult with your doctor to determine if the benefit of taking Latuda outweighs the risks.
Interactions & Contraindications
Before taking Latuda, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take any medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins.
CYP3A4 inhibitors
Taking Latuda with a CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the effect of Latuda. You should not take Latuda with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, voriconazole, and mibefradil.
If you are taking a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor such as diltiazem, atazanavir, erythromycin, and fluconazole with Latuda, your doctor may lower your dose of Latuda.
CYP3A4 inducers
Taking Latuda with a CYP3A4 inducer decreases the effect of Latuda. You should not take Latuda with a strong CYP3A4 inducer such as Rifampin, avasimibe, St. John’s wort, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
If you are taking a moderate CYP3A4 inducer such as Bosentan, efavirenz, etravirine, and modafinil with Latuda, your doctor may increase your dose of Latuda.
Grapefruit
Eating or drinking grapefruit while on treatment with Latuda may affect how much Latuda is absorbed. Grapefruit should be avoided while on treatment with Latuda.