Latuda (lurasidone) is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- schizophrenia in people ages 13 years and older
- bipolar depression in people ages 10 years and older
You’ll likely take Latuda as a long-term treatment for these conditions.
Here are some fast facts about Latuda:
- Active ingredient: lurasidone
- Drug class: atypical antipsychotics
- Drug form: oral tablet
As with other drugs, Latuda can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Latuda, including details about its uses, see this article.
Latuda can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Latuda in clinical trials:
- akathisia (restlessness)*
- nausea*
- drowsiness*
- involuntary muscle movements, such as tremor, spasms, or twitching
- stiff muscles, slow movements, or trouble moving
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Latuda treatment. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Latuda’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Latuda treatment include:
- akathisia (restlessness)*
- nausea*
- drowsiness*
- involuntary muscle movements, such as tremor, spasms, or twitching
- stiff muscles, slow movements, or trouble moving
- trouble thinking clearly or making decisions
- insomnia
- weight gain†
- stuffy or runny nose
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- blurry vision
- dizziness
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Latuda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† To learn more about weight gain, see “Latuda and weight gain” below.
Latuda may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Latuda’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Latuda, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in your blood pressure when you change your posture, such as standing up too quickly). Symptoms can include:
- feeling lightheaded
- dizziness
- blurry vision
- faster or slower heart rate
- fainting
- Increased level of prolactin (a type of hormone). Symptoms can include:
- producing breast milk when not breastfeeding, or not having periods in females*
- growth of breasts, or sexual side effects† such as erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping an erection) in males*
- Changes in your metabolism that can cause:
- weight gain‡
- high blood sugar level, which may lead to diabetes over time
- high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Low white blood cell levels. Symptoms can include:
- fever
- sore mouth or throat
- infection
- Problems with your body’s ability to keep cool. This can lead to hyperthermia (very high body temperature) in hot temperatures or during exercise. Symptoms can include:
- headache
- nausea†
- dizziness
- weakness
- hot skin
- muscle cramps
- rapid breathing and heart rate
- Trouble swallowing. Symptoms can include:
- choking
- breathing food or drink into your lungs
- Seizures. Symptoms can include:
- uncontrolled muscle spasms
- staring
- drooling
- sudden eye movements
- loss of consciousness
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare neurological reaction to antipsychotic drugs). Symptoms can include:
- fever
- sweating
- stiff muscles
- changes in your breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure
- confusion
- Risk of stroke in adults ages 65 years and older with dementia-related psychosis. Symptoms of stroke typically occur suddenly and can include:
- numbness or weakness on one side of your body, typically in your face, arm, or leg
- trouble speaking, walking, or seeing
- headache
- confusion
- Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled muscle movements).†
- Allergic reaction.†
- Risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.§
- Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger adults and children.§
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “female” and “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
‡ To learn more about weight gain, see “Latuda and weight gain” below.
§ Latuda has a
Latuda is approved to treat certain mental health conditions in children ages 10 years and older. (To learn more about the approved uses of Latuda, see this article).
In general, the side effects of Latuda are similar in children and adults. These are described above and below.
However, when taking Latuda, children and young adults under 25 years old have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared with adults. In fact, Latuda has a
For some people, taking Latuda can lead to weight gain. Atypical antipsychotic drugs such as Latuda can cause changes in your metabolism. This could lead to weight gain. However, with Latuda, the amount you could gain is typically small.
Weight gain may depend on the condition you take Latuda to treat. For example, adults who took Latuda for schizophrenia gained about 0.9 pounds (lb), which is about 0.4 kilograms (kg)* in clinical trials. However, adults taking Latuda for bipolar depression only gained about 0.2 lb to 0.7 lb (about 0.1 kg to 0.3 kg).
It’s important to note that Latuda can also increase your blood sugar, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.† These side effects, along with weight gain, may increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your doctor will likely monitor your body weight while you take Latuda. If you’re concerned about weight gain with Latuda, talk with your doctor about ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.
* 1 lb is about 2.2 kg.
† For more information about these side effects, see “Serious side effects of Latuda” above.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Latuda may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Latuda.
Sexual side effects
Some people may have sexual side effects while taking Latuda. However, it’s not known how often this occurs. In clinical trials, Latuda has been shown to increase levels of prolactin (a type of hormone) in males* and females.* This was a less common side effect. High levels of prolactin can sometimes cause sexual side effects.
For example, high prolactin levels may cause erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping an erection) in males. This was a rare side effect in clinical trials. In females, high prolactin levels may cause vaginal dryness, which could also lead to sexual problems. However, sexual side effects weren’t reported in females who took Latuda in clinical trials.
What you can do
If you develop sexual side effects after you start taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They may suggest tips or recommend treatments to help with the problem. However, if these don’t work and you have sexual problems that are bothersome, your doctor may recommend you switch to another medication.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Akathisia (restlessness)
Akathisia may occur while taking Latuda. Akathisia is a feeling of uncomfortable restlessness and being unable to keep still. In clinical trials, this was one of the most common side effects of Latuda treatment.
Symptoms of akathisia include:
- feelings of uneasiness and agitation
- involuntary movements, such as fidgeting, rocking, pacing, or shifting weight
- trouble sleeping
- anxiety
- irritability
What you can do
If you have symptoms of akathisia while taking Latuda, contact your doctor right away. They may prescribe medications to treat this side effect. They may also lower your dose of Latuda. (To learn about Latuda dosages, see this article.)
Tardive dyskinesia
Antipsychotic drugs such as Latuda can sometimes cause a serious side effect called tardive dyskinesia. With tardive dyskinesia, you have involuntary, uncontrollable, repetitive muscle movements in your tongue, face, neck, arms, or legs.
It’s not known how often tardive dyskinesia occurs with Latuda treatment. However, you’re more likely to develop this side effect the longer you take the drug. And it can develop at any point during treatment, or even after stopping treatment. It’s also more common in older adults ages 65 years and older and in females.*
Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia can include:
- grimacing
- chewing movements
- sticking out the tongue
- frequent blinking
- lip smacking or pursing
- writhing or jerking movements of your neck, arms, or legs
These symptoms can affect your quality of life. And they may sometimes be irreversible, even after you stop taking Latuda.
What you can do
If you develop symptoms of tardive dyskinesia while taking Latuda, contact your doctor right away. They may reduce your dose of Latuda. Or they may recommend a different medication to treat your condition.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Nausea
Some people may have nausea while taking Latuda. In clinical trials, nausea was one of the more common side effects reported with this drug.
What you can do
If you have nausea while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to help ease this side effect. Or they may prescribe antinausea medication.
Drowsiness
Latuda can make some people feel drowsy. Drowsiness was one of the more common side effects reported with Latuda in clinical trials.
Drowsiness may ease after a few weeks of taking Latuda.
What you can do
If you feel drowsy while taking Latuda, be sure to avoid activities that could be dangerous. These include driving and operating machines.
If you have drowsiness that’s troublesome, talk with your doctor about ways to manage this side effect.
Risk of death
Latuda has a
Psychosis is a symptom related to mental health conditions. It refers to a loss of touch with reality. People with psychosis may hallucinate (see, hear, or smell things that aren’t really there). They may also have delusions (beliefs that aren’t true).
Dementia is a condition that involves problems with memory, thinking, and communication. Some people with dementia also have psychosis.
Antipsychotic drugs such as Latuda are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat dementia-related psychosis in older adults. (Off-label use is prescribing an FDA-approved drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.) However, clinical trials show that these medications can increase the risk of death in older adults.
Note: Latuda is only approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression in certain people. (To learn more, see this article.)
What you can do
If you’re an older adult with dementia-related psychosis, your doctor will likely not prescribe you Latuda. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Latuda has a
In general, mental health conditions can increase your risk of having suicidal thoughts or actions. These conditions include depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
However, clinical trials show that drugs that treat bipolar depression, such as Latuda, can also increase this risk in children and young adults. This risk may be higher when starting Latuda treatment. It’s also higher if your doctor increases your dosage of Latuda. (To learn more about Latuda dosages, see this article.)
The possible warning signs and symptoms of suicidal thoughts and behaviors may include:
- worsening depression
- anxiety
- agitation or restlessness
- anger, aggression, or irritability
- sudden or unusual changes in mood, thoughts, or behaviors
- thoughts about dying or harming yourself
- trying to harm yourself or attempting suicide
What you can do
If you have any warning signs or symptoms of suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking Latuda, immediately contact your doctor or call 911 or your local emergency number.
Caregivers of children or young adults taking Latuda should also watch for these symptoms. Talk with their doctor right away if you’re concerned about their mood or behavior.
If your doctor thinks Latuda could be causing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, they will likely recommend a different medication for your condition.
Suicide prevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:
- Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
- Listen to the person without judgment.
- Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
- Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
- Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects if it’s safe to do so.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Latuda can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Latuda. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Latuda may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
I’m taking Latuda for bipolar disorder. What side effects can I expect?
If you take Latuda for bipolar disorder, it’s possible to have any of the side effects discussed above. Latuda can cause similar side effects in people with bipolar disorder and people with schizophrenia.
If you take Latuda for bipolar disorder, Latuda may raise your risk of having a manic or hypomanic episode. These episodes are symptoms of bipolar disorder that may cause you to:
- have a quick and severe change in mood
- feel very energized or have racing thoughts
- have trouble concentrating
- need less sleep
If you’re prescribed Latuda for this condition, be sure to talk with your doctor about your risk of having these episodes.
While taking Latuda, your doctor may recommend you monitor your mood. The drug’s manufacturer has a tool that can help you track your mood and behavior over several months. This tool may be helpful for spotting early signs of a manic episode.
Do Latuda’s side effects include memory loss?
No, Latuda isn’t known to cause memory loss. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug. However, Latuda can cause problems with thinking clearly or making decisions. For more information about these side effects, see “Mild side effects of Latuda” above.
If you think Latuda is affecting your memory, talk with your doctor.
My doctor prescribed a 40-mg dose of Latuda. What are the side effects of this dose?
Side effects of Latuda are possible with any dose* of the drug, including the 40-mg dose. However, some side effects may be slightly more common with higher doses than with lower doses. Examples of these include akathisia (restlessness), nausea, drowsiness, and slow or involuntary muscle movements.†
Depending on your condition and age, your doctor may prescribe you Latuda dosages from 20 mg per day to 160 mg per day. So you may be less likely to have side effects with a 40-mg dose compared with a higher dose.
To find out more about what to expect with your Latuda dosage, talk with your doctor.
* To learn more about Latuda dosages, see this article.
† For more information, see the “More common side effects of Latuda” section above.
Can Latuda cause hair loss?
No, it’s unlikely. Hair loss wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Latuda.
Hair loss is a rare side effect of certain other antipsychotic drugs taken for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Examples include Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Risperdal (risperidone). This side effect is also common with certain other medications taken to treat bipolar disorder. Examples of these include Lithobid (lithium), Depakote (divalproex), and valproate.
If you have hair loss while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what’s causing the hair loss.
What are Latuda’s overdose symptoms?
Taking too much Latuda can cause serious side effects. Symptoms of a Latuda overdose may include:
- shaking or twisting of the head and neck
- decreased alertness
- low blood pressure
- irregular heart rhythm
- seizures
- shock (reduced blood flow to your organs and tissues)
If you think you’ve taken too much Latuda, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Is QT prolongation a side effect of Latuda?
No. QT prolongation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Latuda.
Certain other antipsychotic drugs taken to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia can cause QT prolongation (also called long QT syndrome). Examples of these drugs include thioridazine, chlorpromazine, and haloperidol (Haldol). These drugs are considered to be first-generation antipsychotics (older medications prescribed to treat certain mental health conditions).
Latuda is a newer second-generation antipsychotic. These antipsychotics are less likely to affect your heart rhythm.
If you’re concerned about heart problems with Latuda, talk with your doctor.
Does Latuda cause long-term side effects?
Yes, it’s possible. Most of Latuda’s side effects ease or go away within a few weeks. However, some side effects may last a long time. Or they may develop after you’ve been taking the medication long term.
Side effects that may last a long time include:*
- changes to your metabolism
- increased prolactin levels
- problems with your body’s ability to keep cool
Taking Latuda long term may also increase your risk of developing certain side effects. This includes tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled muscle movements),† which can also last a long time. Tardive dyskinesia can sometimes continue after you stop taking Latuda.
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about long-term side effects with Latuda.
* To learn more about these side effects, see “Serious side effects of Latuda” above.
† For details about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” above.
Latuda has several other warnings and precautions. Here are some other things you and your doctor should consider before you take Latuda.
Boxed warnings
This drug has
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Latuda. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Latuda or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Latuda. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. (For details about allergic reaction, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.)
Diabetes. Latuda can increase your blood sugar level, which may cause diabetes over time. If you have diabetes, your doctor will monitor your blood sugar more often while you take Latuda. They may also adjust your diabetes medication to help manage your blood sugar as needed.
High cholesterol or triglycerides. Latuda can increase your cholesterol or triglyceride levels.If you already have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, Latuda may increase them further. Your doctor will monitor your cholesterol and triglycerides more often while you take Latuda. If needed, your doctor may prescribe or adjust certain medications to help manage cholesterol.
Parkinson’s disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. If you have either of these conditions, you may have an increased risk of certain side effects with Latuda. Talk with your doctor about whether Latuda is right for you.
Other medications. Certain other medications* can affect the way your body metabolizes (breaks down) Latuda. Some medications may cause Latuda to build up in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects from Latuda treatment. Other medications may make Latuda less effective. If you take any of these medications, your doctor will likely not prescribe Latuda. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the medications you take.
* To learn more about which medications may interact with Latuda, see this article.
Alcohol with Latuda
Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Latuda. However, drinking alcohol while you’re taking Latuda may increase the risk of certain side effects from the drug. These include drowsiness, nausea, blurry vision, dizziness, and trouble thinking clearly. (For details, see “Side effect specifics” above.)
If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor if it’s safe to do so while you’re taking Latuda.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Latuda
It’s not known if Latuda is safe to take during pregnancy. The drug hasn’t been studied during pregnancy.
If you take antipsychotic drugs such as Latuda during the third trimester of pregnancy, your child may have withdrawal symptoms or other side effects. These may include:
- problems with breathing or feeding
- excessive sleepiness
- agitation
- shakiness, or stiff or floppy muscles
However, Latuda is prescribed to treat serious and potentially life threatening mental health conditions.* So the benefits of taking this medication may outweigh its risks.
If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of Latuda.
It’s not known if Latuda passes into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child if you take Latuda.
* To learn more about the approved uses of Latuda, see this article.
Latuda affects the central nervous system, so it may have potential for misuse. Drug misuse refers to taking a drug in a way or for a use your doctor hasn’t prescribed it for.
However, in clinical trials, people who took Latuda didn’t show signs of drug misuse.
If you’ve misused drugs in the past, your doctor will likely want to monitor you closely during Latuda treatment.
Latuda can cause several side effects. Most are typically mild and short-lived, however, some can be serious or last a long time.
If you’d like to learn more about Latuda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Latuda. For details about other aspects of Latuda, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. Learn how Latuda compares with Abilify or with Vraylar.
- Dosage information. You can read about Latuda’s dosing in this article.
- Details on your condition. For details on bipolar disorder, see our list of bipolar disorder articles. To learn more about schizophrenia, see our list of schizophrenia articles.
Disclaimer:Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.