Latuda is a brand-name prescription drug. It’s a type of drug called an antipsychotic.
This medication contains the active drug lurasidone. It comes as an oral tablet.
Latuda is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- schizophrenia in adults and children ages 13 years and older
- depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in adults and children ages 10 years and older
Doctors typically prescribe Latuda for long-term use. Similar to other drugs, Latuda may cause side effects. Read below for information about possible side effects, including common, mild, and serious ones.
For a general overview of Latuda, including details about its uses, see this article. If you’d like to take Latuda, search here to find a healthcare professional who might prescribe it.
Some of Latuda’s side effects may be more common than others. These side effects may last only a few days to weeks. However, some side effects may last longer or become severe or bothersome. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about any side effects with Latuda.
In Latuda’s clinical studies, these were some side effects that occurred more often:
- sleep problems, such as drowsiness (excessive sleepiness) or insomnia
- extrapyramidal symptoms (a group of movement problems, such as muscle tremor, spasm, stiffness, or slowed movements)
- nausea
- akathisia (restlessness)*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Latuda: Side effects explained” below.
Latuda can cause mild side effects, which are listed below. However, this list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects. To learn more about Latuda’s side effects, view the drug’s prescribing information.
Latuda’s mild side effects include:
- sleep problems, such as drowsiness (excessive sleepiness) or insomnia
- extrapyramidal symptoms (a group of movement problems, such as muscle tremor, spasm, stiffness, or slowed movements)
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- dizziness
- viral infections, such as influenza (the flu)
- dry mouth
- akathisia (restlessness)*
The side effects listed above may last only a few days to weeks. However, some side effects may last longer or become severe or bothersome. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about side effects with Latuda.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks 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 “Latuda: Side effects explained” below.
It’s possible to have serious side effects with Latuda. Serious side effects are listed below, but this list may not include all possibilities. To learn more about Latuda’s side effects, view the drug’s prescribing information.
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects with Latuda. However, if you think you’re having a medical emergency or have life threatening side effects, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Latuda and their possible symptoms include:
- Increased level of the hormone prolactin. Symptoms may include:
- erectile dysfunction (trouble having an erection) or gynecomastia (breast growth) in males*
- absence of periods and low libido (low sex drive) in females*
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden decrease in blood pressure when changing position from sitting to standing), which can lead to falls. Symptoms can include:
- dizziness
- blurry vision
- fatigue
- Seizures. Symptoms can include:
- loss of consciousness
- falling
- confusion
- uncontrolled muscle movements
- Changes in mood or behaviors. Symptoms can include new or worsening:
- Changes in metabolism (chemical processes that help your body function), which may lead to:
- high triglyceride and cholesterol levels
- high blood sugar level
- weight gain**
- Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements, usually affecting the fingers or face).**
- Increased risk of death in certain older people.†
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors.†
- Allergic reaction.‡
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.
** For more information about this side effect, see “Latuda: Side effects explained” below.
† Latuda has a
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after using Latuda. However, this side effect was not reported in clinical studies. To learn more, see the “Latuda: Side effects explained” section below.
Latuda is approved to treat schizophrenia in children ages 13 years and older. It’s also approved to treat depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder in children ages 10 years and older.
Most of Latuda’s side effects in children are similar to those in adults.
However, Latuda has a
Here’s detailed information about some of Latuda’s side effects.
Increased risk of death in certain older people
Latuda has a
Specifically, antipsychotic drugs can increase the risk of death in adults ages 65 years or older with psychosis related to dementia. Because Latuda is an antipsychotic drug, it also carries this risk.
Psychosis is a mental health condition that causes a loss of touch with reality, possibly leading to hallucinations or delusions. And dementia is a condition that involves memory loss.
An increased risk of death in older people wasn’t reported as a side effect in clinical studies of Latuda. However, these studies didn’t include enough older people to properly evaluate this risk. In studies of other antipsychotics, death in older people was most commonly related to infections and heart problems.
Antipsychotics can also increase the risk of stroke in older adults with psychosis related to dementia. Having a stroke can lead to death in some cases. Symptoms of stroke may include:
- weakness on one side of the body, usually in the face, arm, or leg
- headache
- trouble walking, seeing, or speaking
- confusion
What you can do
Due to these risks, doctors typically will not prescribe Latuda to adults ages 65 years and older with psychosis related to dementia. If you’re 65 years or older and have dementia-related psychosis, your doctor can discuss safer treatment options with you.
If you have symptoms of a stroke while taking Latuda, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Latuda has a
There was no report of this side effect in clinical studies of Latuda. However, drugs used to treat depression can increase this risk. Because Latuda is used to treat depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder, some people may have a risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors while taking the drug.
Your risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors with Latuda may be higher if you:
- are ages 24 years or younger
- recently had a dosage change
- started taking the drug within the last few months
While you’re taking Latuda, your doctor may watch for new or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviors. They’ll also monitor for other mood changes, such as agitation, anxiety, anger, or irritability.
What you can do
Tell your doctor if you have any mood changes while you’re taking Latuda. However, if you have thoughts of harming yourself, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
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 you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 800-273-8255.
Weight gain
Weight gain may occur with Latuda. People who took the drug during clinical studies reported a small amount of weight gain.
Keep in mind that weight gain with Latuda could happen because of changes in your metabolism. (Metabolism refers to the chemical processes that help your body function.) If Latuda slows your metabolism, you may gain weight.
What you can do
Talk with your doctor about weight changes that are possible with Latuda. Your doctor can advise on ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you while you take the drug.
If you have weight gain that’s extreme or bothersome, tell your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for your condition.
Akathisia
Akathisia (restlessness) is possible with Latuda. This side effect was common in clinical studies of the drug, especially in people taking higher doses.
Restlessness with Latuda can lead to an intense urge to move around. You may find yourself tapping your feet, pacing the floor, or constantly shifting your weight from one leg to the other while standing.
Akathisia may also cause you to feel more anxious, impatient, or irritable than usual.
What you can do
If you have akathisia while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They may lower your dosage to help manage this side effect.
If Latuda is working well to treat your condition, your doctor may not adjust your dosage. Instead, they may prescribe other medications that can help ease symptoms of this side effect.
Tardive dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary muscle movements) may occur with Latuda. It isn’t known for sure how common this side effect was in clinical studies of the drug.
These movements usually affect the fingers or face, causing symptoms such as:
- rapid blinking
- lip smacking
- teeth grinding
- chewing, when you’re not eating
- finger movements, such as those mimicking piano playing
Your risk for tardive dyskinesia may increase as you keep taking Latuda. Symptoms of this condition could occur even after you stop taking the drug.
What you can do
If you have symptoms of tardive dyskinesia while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe a different treatment for your condition.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Latuda. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.
There were no reports of allergic reaction in clinical studies of Latuda. However, this side effect has been reported since Latuda became available for use.
Possible symptoms of mild and serious allergic reactions are listed in the table below.
| Mild allergic reaction symptoms | Serious allergic reaction symptoms |
| • itching | • trouble breathing |
| • rash | • swelling in your throat or mouth |
| • flushing | • swelling under your skin, possibly in your hands, feet, lips, or eyelids |
If you have an allergic reaction to Latuda, call your doctor right away. This is important to do because the reaction could become severe.
However, if you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Here are some common questions and answers about the drug’s side effects. Talk with your doctor if you have other questions about this drug.
Does Latuda cause sexual side effects, such as changes in libido?
Yes, Latuda may cause certain sexual side effects. However, these were rare in clinical studies of the drug.
Sexual side effects that have been reported with Latuda include:
- priapism (painful and persistent erection)
- erectile dysfunction (trouble having an erection)
Keep in mind that Latuda can also cause increased levels of the hormone prolactin, leading to problems with sexual function. In males,* high prolactin levels can cause erectile dysfunction. In females,* high prolactin levels can cause low libido (low sex drive).
If you have sexual side effects with Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can advise on ways to manage your side effects. Your doctor may also order tests to see if a high prolactin level is the cause.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, use of the terms “male” and “female” refers to sex assigned at birth.
Will I have memory loss as a side effect with Latuda?
It isn’t likely. Memory loss wasn’t reported as a side effect in clinical studies of Latuda.
That said, memory loss can be a symptom of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. And Latuda is used in people with these conditions. So, it’s possible you may have memory loss because of these conditions while you’re taking Latuda. But your memory loss probably isn’t caused by the drug.
If you have memory loss with Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can make sure the drug is working to treat your condition. They can also advise on other possible causes of your memory loss.
Can Latuda cause headache, hair loss, or anger as side effects?
There were no reports of headache, hair loss, or anger as side effects in clinical studies of Latuda.
However, hair loss is a side effect of valproate and lithium (Lithobid). These medications are sometimes used in combination with Latuda to treat depressive episodes related to bipolar I disorder. So, you may have hair loss while you’re taking Latuda with these medications. However, this side effect isn’t likely caused by Latuda itself.
While anger wasn’t a reported side effect in Latuda’s studies, agitation was. Some people may interpret feeling agitated as feeling angry.
Additionally, anger can be a symptom of other side effects related to Latuda. For example, people with suicidal thoughts and behaviors may experience anger. Latuda has a
If you have questions about headaches, hair loss, or anger while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor.
Are there any symptoms or side effects of Latuda overdose?
Yes, Latuda overdose may cause certain symptoms. Examples of these symptoms can include:
Overdose can happen if you take more than your recommended dosage of Latuda. It’s important that you do not take more Latuda than your doctor advises.
If you think you’ve taken too much Latuda, call your doctor right away. However, if your symptoms are severe or seem life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Latuda comes with several precautions.
Boxed warnings
This drug has
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Latuda. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health.
The conditions and factors to consider include those described below.
Cholesterol problems. Latuda may cause changes in your metabolism, resulting in high triglyceride and cholesterol levels. (Metabolism refers to chemical processes that help your body function.) If you already have cholesterol problems, tell your doctor before taking Latuda. They may monitor your cholesterol levels more closely than usual while you’re taking this drug.
Diabetes. Latuda may cause changes in your metabolism, resulting in a high blood sugar level. If you have diabetes, tell your doctor before starting Latuda. They may have you check your blood sugar level more often than usual while you’re taking this drug.
Seizures. Latuda may cause seizures. If you already have seizures or you’ve had them in the past, tell your doctor. They’ll determine whether it’s safe for you to take Latuda.
Liver or kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. They may prescribe a lower dosage of Latuda than usual.
Heart problems or stroke. Before starting Latuda, tell your doctor if you have any heart problems. Also, tell them if you’ve had a stroke. This is because Latuda may cause orthostatic hypotension. (This condition causes a sudden decrease in blood pressure when you’re changing position from sitting to standing.) Your risk of orthostatic hypotension with Latuda may be higher if you have heart problems or you’ve had a stroke.
Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia. If you have Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia, you may have a higher risk of certain side effects with Latuda. These side effects include falls, confusion, and involuntary muscle movements. Before starting Latuda, tell your doctor if you have these conditions. They will recommend if it’s safe for you to take Latuda.
Low level of white blood cells. If you have a low level of white blood cells, talk with your doctor. Latuda may lower your white blood cell level even more, possibly increasing your risk of infection. Your doctor may closely monitor your white blood cell level while you’re taking Latuda.
High level of prolactin. Before starting treatment with Latuda, tell your doctor if you have a high level of the hormone prolactin. Latuda may increase your prolactin level even more, possibly increasing your risk of symptoms from it. Your doctor can advise if it’s safe for you to take Latuda. For information on possible symptoms of increased prolactin, see the “Latuda: Serious side effects” section above.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Latuda or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Latuda. Ask them about other medications that may be better options for you.
Consuming alcohol during Latuda treatment
There aren’t any known interactions between alcohol and Latuda.
However, consuming alcohol during Latuda treatment can worsen drowsiness, which is a possible side effect of the drug.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about a safe amount to drink while you’re taking Latuda.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding during Latuda treatment
It isn’t known for sure if Latuda is safe to take while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Clinical studies of Latuda haven’t looked at its use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
However, reports have shown certain side effects in infants born to people who took antipsychotic drugs in their last 3 months of pregnancy. Keep in mind that Latuda is an antipsychotic drug. So, it’s possible these side effects could happen in infants born to people who took Latuda while pregnant.
Possible side effects in an infant include:
- drowsiness
- acting irritable or bothered
- increased or decreased muscle tone
- refusing to eat or having trouble eating
- trouble breathing
If you take Latuda while pregnant, consider enrolling in the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications. This registry collects information about the safety of antipsychotic drugs when taken during pregnancy. For more information, call 866-961-2388. You can also talk with your doctor or visit the registry’s website.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Latuda while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information about Latuda. If you have questions about the drug’s side effects, your pharmacist or healthcare professional can help answer them for you.
In addition to discussing Latuda with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Latuda. To read an overview of Latuda, see this article.
- Drug comparison. To learn how Latuda compares with Abilify, read this article. And for a comparison with Vraylar, see this article.
- Details about Latuda’s uses. To learn more about the conditions Latuda is used to treat, see these articles about schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Disclaimer: Healthgrades 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.
