Latuda Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, often manifesting in disabling symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Patients may also experience difficulty in understanding information and making decisions. Symptoms usually start during their mid-teens through young adulthood.

Latuda Active Ingredient

The active ingredient in Latuda is called lurasidone, which works with a number of different receptors in the brain to stabilize mood and help patients think more clearly. It belongs to a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. Newer medications are less likely to produce some of the negative side-effects associated with the first generation of antipsychotics, also known as typical antipsychotics.

Generic Latuda  Alternative

Generic alternatives to Latuda are not yet available on this website.

General Drug Information

What is Latuda and What Is It Used For?

Latuda is prescribed to patients suffering from mental disorders like schizophrenia. It belongs to a class of drugs, called atypical antipsychotics, which are less likely to produce negative side effects – such as drug-induced movement disorder – in patients.

The medication helps to improve mood, sleep, and appetite in patients, and may also decrease hallucinations.

Usage and Application

Latuda should be taken exactly as prescribed by a patient’s doctor, and the dosage depends on the patient’s condition, response to treatment and other medications they may be taking. Before the start of treatment, patients should discuss all other prescription medications, herbs and supplements they are taking with their doctor.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose. It is necessary to use Latuda regularly in order to experience its full benefit. It may take several weeks for people to experience the full benefit of this medication.

Therapy should continue even if people feel well and are thinking more clearly. Patients should not increase their dose or take the medication more often than prescribed as this increases the risk of negative side effects. This medication can only be stopped following consultation with the treating physician.

Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can interact with Latuda and may increase the risk of negative side effects. They should be avoided unless patients are told otherwise by their doctor or physician.

Considerations Before Taking Latuda

Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the possibility of allergic reactions to lurasidone or any of the medicine’s inactive ingredients. In addition, it is necessary to discuss the patient’s (and their family’s) medical history, especially any occurrence of stroke, breast cancer, and diabetes. Kidney or liver problems, low blood pressure, low white blood cell counts, dementia, and seizures should be reported as well. Patients also need to mention any troubles swallowing or sleep apnea.

Latuda may cause blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness. Patients should use caution when driving, using machinery, and performing activities which require clear vision or alertness until the effects of the medication are known. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided.

Patients preparing for surgery or certain dental procedures should inform their doctor or dentist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products they are taking.

Some patients taking this medication may find that they produce less sweat. This increases the likelihood of heat stroke. On hot days, patients should drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising or performing any other activities that may cause them to overheat. Using hot tubs should also be avoided. In the event of overheating, patients should take immediate steps to cool down and rest. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of serious overheating – mood changes, headache or dizziness – persist.

Older adults are likely to be more sensitive to some of the negative side effects of this medication, especially drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. There is an increased risk of falling.

Women who are pregnant – or planning to become pregnant – should discuss the safe use of Latuda with their doctors. Untreated problems such as schizophrenia can be a serious condition. Patients should not stop the medication unless directed to do so by their doctor.

In rare cases, babies born to mothers who used this medication in their last trimester may develop symptoms such as muscle stiffness or shakiness, drowsiness, constant crying, and feeding or breathing difficulties. Parents should contact a physician right away if they notice such symptoms in their newborn.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Latuda should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Latuda

Drug interactions may change the way Latuda works and increase the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – like the blood pressure drug diltiazem – can affect the removal of lurasidone from the body, affecting how Latuda works. This is also the case with antifungals like ketoconazole and itraconazole, and some medications for HIV and hepatitis C – atazanavir, boceprevir, and ritonavir. The list includes the antibiotic telithromycin and antibiotic families like rifamycins (rifampin, rifabutin) and macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin. Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and nefazodone also have similar negative effects.

Patients should inform their doctor if they use other products which cause drowsiness, like alcohol or marijuana. Opioid pain and cough relievers like codeine and hydrocodone have the same effect, as do drugs for sleep and anxiety-like alprazolam, lorazepam, and zolpidem.

Muscle relaxants like carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine –as well as antihistamines like Zyrtec and Sleep Eze – may also cause drowsiness. Patients should check the labels of all allergy and cough-and-cold products for ingredients that may cause drowsiness, and discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

Adverse Reactions

Some patients may experience drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, weight gain, a mask-like facial expression, nausea, shaking and agitation.

Latuda may cause a serious drop in blood pressure, especially at the start of therapy. Combined with dizziness and lightheadedness, this increases the risk of falling. Patients should exercise caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Most patients are able to use this medication safely without serious side effects. Yet it is possible to experience adverse reactions such as fainting, sleep apnea, drooling or trouble swallowing. Persistent cough and fever are signs of infection. Patients need to seek immediate medical help if they experience any of the symptoms above.

Immediate medical help is also required if any of the following are observed: uncontrollable movements such as lip smacking, mouth puckering, tongue thrusting and chewing, or unusual arm and leg movements. These are all possible signs of a condition called tardive dyskinesia, which should be immediately tended to. In some cases, the condition may be permanent.

In rare cases, Latuda may increase blood sugar levels, a concern for diabetic patients. This effect may be compounded by possible weight gain associated with the use of this medication. Diabetic patients may need to adjust their medication, exercise program, and diet. Others should monitor for symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst and urination.

Some patients may experience a rise in levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Heart disease risk may be increased with diabetes and weight gain.

In rare cases, lurasidone may increase levels of the hormone prolactin, produced by the body. In women, this could lead to the unwanted production of breast milk, irregular periods or difficulty conceiving. Men may experience decreased sexual ability, enlarged breasts and an inability to produce sperm.

In rare cases, this drug may cause some men to experience painful and prolonged erections, lasting for over four hours. Patients who experience this should contact their doctor and stop using the medication in order to prevent permanent problems.

Immediate medical help should be sought in the event patients experience a seizure or any symptoms related to neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a very serious and possibly life-threatening condition. NMS symptoms include sweating, fever, muscle stiffness, severe tiredness, and confusion, as well as irregular heartbeat, dark urine and changes in the amount of urine.

Serious allergic reactions to Latuda are rare, yet patients should be aware of symptoms including rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.

How to Store Latuda

Latuda should be stored at room temperature, away from light or moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.

Latuda  Coupon

Although Latuda coupons are available with other online pharmacies, customers will find that UDS prices are often much lower.