Caplyta (Lumateperone) for Depression

Caplyta (lumateperone) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression in adults.

How Caplyta Works and How It's Taken

Caplyta is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by affecting certain brain chemical signals. It blocks serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and partly activates dopamine D2 receptors. These are proteins that help brain cells send messages. The exact way Caplyta works is not fully known.

Doctors prescribe Caplyta when someone has major depressive disorder or bipolar depression. The medication comes as a capsule taken by mouth once a day, with or without food.

Connect with others who understand life with depression. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.

Caplyta Side Effects

In clinical trials of Caplyta used with antidepressant medicines to treat MDD in adults, the most common side effects included:

Headache
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Sleepiness or sedation
Nausea
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Diarrhea

These side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 19 percent of people.

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Caplyta can cause serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis (Caplyta is not approved for dementia-related psychosis)
Stroke or mini-stroke in older adults with dementia-related psychosis (can be fatal)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare, life-threatening reaction that can cause high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, and unstable blood pressure or heart rate)
Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled, repeated movements, often of the face or tongue)
Metabolic changes (high blood sugar or diabetes, higher fat levels in the blood, and weight gain)
Low white blood cell count (can raise the risk of infections)
Orthostatic hypotension and fainting (a drop in blood pressure when standing that can cause dizziness or passing out)
Falls (may happen due to sleepiness, low blood pressure, or problems with balance)
Seizures
Problems with thinking, judgment, or coordination (can affect driving or using machinery)
Body temperature problems (trouble cooling down, especially with heat, dehydration, or heavy exercise)
Trouble swallowing (can raise the risk of choking or breathing food or liquid into the lungs)
Severe allergic reaction (hypersensitivity), including rash, itching, or hives

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Caplyta

Johnson & Johnson offers the Caplyta withMe Savings Card. Eligible people with commercial insurance may be able to pay as little as $0.

The Caplyta program offers text support for insurance coverage updates and prescription ordering options. To learn more, visit the company’s website or call 800-639-4047.

What To Know Before Taking Caplyta

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to lumateperone or any ingredients in Caplyta.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take Caplyta if you have had an allergic reaction to lumateperone or any components of Caplyta.

Caplyta is also FDA approved to treat schizophrenia and depressive episodes in adults with bipolar 1 or 2 disorder.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Caplyta, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Caplyta used during the third trimester may cause extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for atypical antipsychotics (including Caplyta).

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Caplyta?
In two studies that lasted six weeks, adults with major depressive disorder who did not improve enough after one or two earlier antidepressant treatments did better when Caplyta was added to an antidepressant. On a depression rating scale, people taking Caplyta plus an antidepressant improved by 14.7 points. People taking a placebo (inactive treatment) plus an antidepressant improved by 9.8 points in one study and 10.2 points in the other.

Can Caplyta cause sleepiness or dizziness when used for depression?
Yes. Caplyta can cause dizziness and sleepiness when used with an antidepressant for depression. In studies, dizziness happened in 17 percent of people taking Caplyta compared with 5 percent taking a placebo. Sleepiness or sedation happened in 12 percent versus 2 percent with a placebo.

How often is Caplyta taken for depression?
Caplyta is taken by mouth once daily, with or without food. The usual dose is 42 milligrams once daily, and the dose does not need to be slowly increased.

Can Caplyta be used with other medicines for depression?
For major depressive disorder, Caplyta is used with antidepressant medicines in adults. If it is taken with a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, the Caplyta dose should be lowered. Caplyta should be avoided with CYP3A4 inducers. If it is taken with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, closer monitoring for side effects is recommended.