Latuda (Lurasidone) for Bipolar 1 Disorder

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Latuda (lurasidone) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults and children ages 10 and older with depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder, also called bipolar depression. It's also FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13 and older.

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 371 comments about Latuda from MyDepressionTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Mood swings feel more stable for some.
Depression symptoms lift, sometimes with better motivation and daily functioning.
Taking Latuda with food becomes part of a manageable routine.
Latuda can help when used alone or with lithium or valproate.

Considerations:

Sleepiness, fatigue, and feeling foggy or slowed down come up often.
Restlessness, tremors, stiffness, and other movement-related side effects are a frequent concern.
Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, and dizziness can make treatment harder to tolerate.
Weight gain, increased appetite, and changes in cholesterol or glucose need monitoring.

How Latuda Works and How It’s Taken

Latuda is a type of medication called an antipsychotic that blocks dopamine and serotonin signals in the brain. The exact way it works is not fully known. In bipolar 1 disorder, this may help rebalance brain signaling linked to depression symptoms.

Doctors prescribe Latuda when a person 10 years or older has depressive episodes linked to bipolar 1 disorder, also called bipolar depression. For bipolar depression, Latuda can be used alone. In adults, it can also be used with lithium or valproate.

Latuda is a tablet taken by mouth. It is usually taken once daily with food. The food should have at least 350 calories.

Typical Dosing for Bipolar 1 Disorder

The recommended starting dose of Latuda for bipolar 1 disorder is 20 milligrams once daily.

For adults taking Latuda alone, the usual recommended dose range is 20 milligrams to 120 milligrams once daily. Doses may be reduced in people with liver or kidney conditions.

For children ages 10 to 17 taking Latuda alone, the recommended dose range is 20 milligrams to 80 milligrams once daily. A doctor may increase the dose after one week based on response. The dose should not exceed 80 milligrams per day.

The effectiveness of Latuda for longer-term use, meaning more than six weeks, has not been established in controlled studies. This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Latuda

These insights are based on 371 comments about Latuda from MyDepressionTeam members.

Members who use Latuda often say that practical routines and close communication with a doctor make a big difference. Many members mention taking it with food, paying attention to timing, watching for side effects, and giving it some time to work, while also speaking up if symptoms change or the cost becomes a barrier.

1

Take Latuda with food, as prescribed.
“If you don’t take it with a meal of 350 calories, it is not absorbed correctly.”
2

Talk to your doctor about side effects that affect daily life.
“Latuda 40 milligrams also makes me sleepy and I am instructed to take with food, so I take it at dinner.”
3

Be patient, because it can take time to notice benefits.
“I take Latuda and it takes a while to get into system. I felt the same way for a while. To me it’s a great drug.”
4

Ask your doctor about the best time of day to take it.
“I take Latuda at night because it can make me sleepy. It helps a lot with my depression.”

Connect with others who understand life with bipolar 1 disorder. Join MyDepressionTeam for free.

Latuda Side Effects

In clinical studies of Latuda for depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder, also called bipolar depression, the most common side effects differed between adults and children ages 10 to 17. These side effects occurred in 5 percent to 24 percent of people and at least twice as often as with placebo (an inactive treatment).

Adults with bipolar depression:

Akathisia (restlessness)
Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement-related side effects)
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Anxiety

People ages 10 to 17 with bipolar depression:

Nausea
Weight increase
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Latuda can cause serious side effects. Some may need urgent medical care. Others may need monitoring by your doctor. These include:

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors — The risk may be higher in children and young adults, especially early in treatment or when the dose changes.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — This rare, life-threatening reaction can cause very high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, and unstable blood pressure or heart rate.
Tardive dyskinesia — Uncontrolled, repeated movements may occur and may not go away.
Metabolic changes — High blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and weight gain can raise heart and stroke risk.
High prolactin levels — Hormone changes can cause missed periods, breast milk production, breast enlargement, sexual problems, and, over time, bone loss.
Low white blood cell counts — These can raise the risk of infections.
Orthostatic hypotension and fainting — A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing can cause dizziness or passing out.
Falls — These can lead to injuries, including fractures.
Seizures — These are more likely if you have a seizure history or other risk factors.
Trouble thinking clearly or slowed reactions — These can affect judgment, thinking, or coordination.
Body temperature problems — Trouble cooling down can lead to overheating or dehydration.
Activation of mania or hypomania — New or worsening symptoms of an “up” mood, increased energy, or risky behavior may occur.
Trouble swallowing and aspiration — Food or liquid can go into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.
Severe allergic reactions, including angioedema — Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat can cause trouble breathing.
Higher risk in older adults with dementia-related psychosis — Older adults may have a higher risk of stroke, which can be fatal, or death related to other causes from antipsychotic use.

Of note, in older adults with dementia-related psychosis, medicines like Latuda can raise the risk of death. Latuda is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

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

How To Save on Latuda

Latuda is available as a brand-name medication. If cost is a concern, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider about copay assistance, patient support programs, or lower-cost treatment alternatives that may be available to you.

What To Know Before Taking Latuda

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

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

Do not take Latuda if you:

Are allergic to Latuda or any of the ingredients in Latuda
Take a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, voriconazole, or mibefradil
Take a strong CYP3A4 inducer, such as rifampin, avasimibe, St. John’s wort, phenytoin, or carbamazepine

Such medications may affect how Latuda is processed in the body. Inform all your doctors about all medicines you take, even if they are prescribed for a short time.

People with Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies may be more sensitive to antipsychotic medicines and may have confusion, falls, movement problems, or symptoms like NMS.

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Latuda. Grapefruit can change how much Latuda is in your blood.

Do not get too hot or dehydrated while taking Latuda. Drink water, avoid too much exercise in hot weather, and stay cool when possible.

Latuda is also FDA-approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents ages 13 to 17.

There is a pregnancy exposure registry for monitoring the effects of Latuda among those who took Latuda during pregnancy. Contact the National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics at 866-961-2388 or visit the registry website.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. The risks of miscarriage, birth defects, and effects on newborns are not completely known. Latuda may cause extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if taken during the third trimester. Some newborns recover within hours or days, but others may need prolonged hospitalization.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Latuda?

In adults with depressive episodes linked to bipolar 1 disorder, also called bipolar depression, Latuda worked better than placebo in six-week studies conducted by the drug manufacturer.

When Latuda was used alone, depression scores improved by 15.4 points with Latuda, compared with 10.7 points with placebo. These scores were measured using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), which is used by clinicians to rate depression symptoms. A larger drop in score means symptoms improved more.

When Latuda was added to lithium or valproate, depression scores with the MADRS improved by 17.1 points with Latuda plus lithium or valproate, compared with 13.5 points with placebo plus lithium or valproate.

How long does Latuda take to work for bipolar 1 disorder?

In clinical studies for bipolar 1 depression, improvement was measured over six weeks. The study information does not give an exact day when people should expect to feel better, but study results were assessed at week 6.

Can Latuda cause sleepiness or movement-related side effects in bipolar 1 disorder?

Yes. In adults taking Latuda alone for bipolar depression, commonly reported side effects included sleepiness or drowsiness, akathisia, and extrapyramidal symptoms, which can include slow movements, muscle stiffness, or tremor. Latuda may impair judgment, affect thinking, or blunt motor skills. The medication guide also warns people not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or engage in dangerous activities until they know how Latuda affects them.