Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are complex mental health conditions often managed with medication. Among these medications, lurasidone, commonly known by its brand name Latuda, is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. While effective, individuals considering or currently taking Latuda often have concerns about potential side effects, particularly weight gain. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Latuda and its relationship to weight gain, offering information to help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions.
Understanding Latuda
Lurasidone (Latuda) is an atypical or second-generation antipsychotic (SGA). Like other SGAs, lurasidone balances dopamine and serotonin levels, which are hormones that affect mood, thoughts, or actions. It is 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
How Latuda Works
Latuda (lurasidone) works in most patients within 6 weeks or sooner at an appropriate dose, although results can vary between patients. Some patients may respond as early as 1 to 3 weeks; however, some patients may not respond at all or have side effects that interrupt treatment. Food helps Latuda be absorbed better which is why the product information tells you to take Latuda with at least 350 calories of food. Food almost doubles how much Latuda is absorbed and increases blood levels of Latuda at their peak almost 3-fold. Food helps your body absorb Latuda more efficiently. Do not drink alcohol with Latuda. Drowsiness is one the most common side effects of Latuda, and mixing it with alcohol may worsen this reaction. Drowsiness can be a dangerous side effect with any medication. Dizziness, falls, confusion, and difficulty concentrating may also occur.
Weight Gain and Antipsychotics
Weight gain is a serious issue for people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. People with these disorders are more likely to be overweight than the general population. Up to 63% of people with schizophrenia and 68% of people with bipolar disorder are either overweight or obese. This can lead to a number of physical and mental health problems including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and cognition problems. Antipsychotic medication can be a significant factor in weight gain in those with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Approximately 60% of people with bipolar disorder take antipsychotics as maintenance treatment and half of those are likely to gain weight using them, often leading to nonadherence to treatment. In the first year of taking these medications, patients may gain as much as 35 pounds (16kg). The reason for this is that antipsychotics affect hormones, proteins and enzymes that at least partially control appetite. Appetite is increased, satiety is decreased and glucose levels are thrown off.
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Some antipsychotics are more likely to cause weight gain than others. Examples of antipsychotics that are most likely to cause weight gain are clozapine (Clozaril) and olanzapine (Zyprexa). There are also antipsychotics considered to be more weight-neutral like aripiprazole (Abilify) and ziprasidone (Geodon).
Latuda and Weight Gain: What the Studies Show
Lorasidone (Latuda) is another antipsychotic frequently used to treat both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Over the short-term is has been known to be among other antipsychotics that are weight-neutral. A new study from the Annals of General Psychiatry looks at how lorasidone affects weight in the long-term. Jonathan M. Meyer, of the University of California, and his research team followed 439 patients over the course of a year to see how their weight changed after being prescribed lorasidone. The prescription was new at the beginning of the study and lorasidone was the only antipsychotic taken by participants during the period of the study. The average amount of time participants were taking lorasidone was 55 days.
Do Lat… Latuda (generic name: lurasidone) has a low risk for weight gain in adults and children with schizophrenia or bipolar depression, but this can vary in individual patients. In general, Latuda caused minimal weight gain either in the short-term or the longer-term studies conducted by the manufacturer. In children ages 10 to 17 years receiving Latuda for bipolar disorder, weight increase is listed in the product labeling as a common side effect that occurred in at least 5% (5 out of every 100) of patients in this group.
While taking Latuda, it is important that your doctor monitor you for changes in your weight over time, as weight gain can increase your risk for serious effects, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack or stroke. In short-term (6-week) studies of Latuda in adults, the average weight gain was 0.43 kg (0.95 lb) for Latuda-treated patients compared to a loss of 0.02 kg (0.04 lb) for patients who received an inactive treatment (placebo). The proportion of patients with at least a 7% increase in body weight at the end of the study was 4.8% for Latuda-treated patients and 3.3% for placebo-treated patients. In adolescent patients, the average weight change in short-term studies was a gain of 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs).
When Latuda was used alone (as monotherapy) for treatment in adults with bipolar depression in short-term studies, a mean weight gain of 0.29 kg (0.64 lbs) was seen. In other studies of patients with bipolar depression, Latuda was dosed from 20 to 120 mg per day and given in combination with lithium or valproate. A long-term (104 week), open-label study enrolled 378 children with schizophrenia, bipolar depression, or autistic disorder. The mean increase in weight from the beginning of the study to Week 104 was 5.85 kg. In a study conducted by the manufacturer, 240 patients who were switched from various other antipsychotics to Latuda. The top antipsychotics that patients were switched from included: quetiapine (25.8%), risperidone (21.3%), aripiprazole (18.3%), ziprasidone (11.3%), and olanzapine (10.0%).
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Weight Loss Associated with Latuda
Patients taking lorasidone initially lost an average of 1.7 pounds (0.77kg). Over the course of the study, those who had switched to lorasidone from antipsychotics that were at higher risk for weight gain lost an average of 3.7lbs (1.68kg). Those taking lorasidone were also likely to experience a decrease in BMI.
These weight changes may not seem significant, but going from a drug that increases weight by almost 35 pounds in a year to one that may decrease weight at all is a good step in combatting the effects of obesity.
One retrospective study found that treatment with Latuda was associated with weight loss in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Patients lost an average of 0.77 kg (1.7 lb) during the 12-month follow-up period. If switched, Latuda may have a role in helping patients lose weight gained from other antipsychotic treatments.
Managing Side Effects of Latuda
As with other drugs, Latuda (lurasidone) can cause side effects, such as restlessness, nausea, and weight gain. If side effects of Latuda become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have problems with side effects from Latuda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Latuda without consulting your doctor first.
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While taking Latuda, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage. If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or they become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss options for managing side effects or other available treatment options.
Common and Mild Side Effects
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
Mild side effects can occur with Latuda treatment. This list doesnât include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the drugâs 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
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Blurry vision
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
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.
Serious Side Effects
The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Latudaâs 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 youâre 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), which can include symptoms such as:
- Feeling lightheaded
- Dizziness
- Blurry vision
- Faster or slower heart rate
- Fainting
- Increased level of prolactin, which can include symptoms such as:
- Producing breast milk when not breastfeeding, or not having periods, in females
- Growth of breasts, or sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction, in males
- Changes in your metabolism, which can include symptoms such as:
- Weight gain
- High blood sugar level, which may lead to diabetes over time
- High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Low white blood cell levels, which can include symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Sore mouth or throat
- Infection
- Problems with your bodyâs ability to keep cool, which can lead to hyperthermia in hot temperatures or during exercise and cause symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Hot skin
- Muscle cramps
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- Trouble swallowing, which can include symptoms such as:
- Choking
- Breathing food or drink into your lungs
- Seizures, which can include symptoms such as:
- Uncontrolled muscle spasms
- Staring
- Drooling
- Sudden eye movements
- Loss of consciousness
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a rare neurological reaction to antipsychotic drugs), which can include symptoms such as:
- Fever
- Sweating
- Stiff muscles
- Confusion
- Changes in your breathing, heart rate, or blood pressure
- Tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled muscle movements)
- Allergic reaction
- Risk of stroke in adults ages 65 years and older with dementia-related psychosis
- Risk of death in adults ages 65 years and older with dementia-related psychosis
- Risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in younger adults and children
Boxed Warnings for Latuda
Latuda has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Risk of Death
Latuda has a boxed warning about the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. This boxed warning is due to the increased number of cases in adults ages 65 years and older.
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 arenât really there). They may also have delusions (beliefs that arenât true).
Dementia is a condition that involves problems with memory, thinking, and communication. Some people with dementia also have psychosis or other behavioral disturbances.
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 itâs approved for.) However, clinical trials show that these medications can increase the risk of death in older adults.
If youâre 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 boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. This boxed warning is due to the increased number of cases in children and young adults under 25 years old.
In general, mental health conditions can increase your risk of 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. The risk of this side effect may be higher when first starting Latuda and after dosage increases.
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
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 youâre concerned about their mood or behavior.
If your doctor thinks Latuda could be causing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, theyâll likely recommend a different medication for your condition.
Latuda Use in Children
Latuda is approved to treat certain mental health conditions in children ages 10 years and older.
In general, the side effects of Latuda are similar in children and adults. However, when taking Latuda, children and young adults under 25 years old have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors compared with adults taking Latuda.
Strategies for Managing Weight Gain
In addition to switching to a more weight-neutral medication, weight loss with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is the same as it is for anyone else. Diet and exercise are the most effective ways to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.
If you are dealing with weight gain due to antipsychotics or have discontinued treatment due to weight gain, its important to talk to your psychiatrist. There are many options for treatment for both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Important Considerations When Taking Latuda
There are several important considerations to keep in mind while taking Latuda:
- Food Intake: Food helps Latuda be absorbed better, which is why the product information tells you to take Latuda with at least 350 calories of food.
- Alcohol: Do not drink alcohol with Latuda, as it may worsen drowsiness.
- Other Medications: Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medications you are taking, including supplements, to ensure there arenât any products that interact badly with Latuda.
- Grapefruit Juice: Donât drink grapefruit juice while youâre on lurasidone. It can raise the amount of the drug in your body even if youâre still taking the same dose.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: If you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about your medicine. Talk to your doctor before you breastfeed. Experts arenât sure if lurasidone will get into your breast milk.
- Stopping Latuda: You shouldn't stop taking antipsychotic medications such as lurasidone suddenly. This can cause withdrawal symptoms. If your doctor decides you should stop or switch your medication, they will create a plan for you to gradually take smaller doses until you stop completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most common side effect of lurasidone? There isnât any one side effect that is most common if you take lurasidone. A few of the more common ones include being anxious, burping, and being drowsy.
- What should I avoid while taking Latuda? The most important things to avoid are alcohol, recreational drugs, and grapefruit juice.
- Iâm taking Latuda for bipolar disorder. What side effects can I expect? If you take Latuda for depression associated with bipolar disorder (bipolar depression), itâs possible to have any of the side effects discussed in earlier sections of this article. Latuda can cause similar side effects in people with bipolar depression and people with schizophrenia. If you take Latuda for bipolar disorder, Latuda may raise your risk of having a manic or hypomanic episode.