My psych prescribed Latuda yesterday, to help me with my moods. I don't have an official diagnosis like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; in fact my Dr and I differ greatly when it comes to what we think is wrong with me. My father, whom I was very close to, passed away suddenly last November. Up until that point, I was great. In a wonderful relationship, had lost 90 lbs after leaving my terribly abusive ex husband 2 years prior, loved my job, had a social life. Then my father died of a massive heart attack November 2011 and it's like the grief is winning. My Dr thinks I am bi-polar; I think I have situational depression and anxiety. I have been taking .5mgs Xanax 4 times daily, and 300mgs Neurontin just before bedtime. These help tremendously with my anxiety and sleep, as long as I keep taking them. I have issues with my mood (mainly I am just sad or irritable) and confidence, and that's why the Dr wanted me to try Latuda. I am supposed to take 20mgs a day 2 hours after eating but 2 hours before I go to bed, so right in the middle. I am truthfully terrified to take this medication because of the side effects, and I am wondering if any of you Latuda users out there might be able to help. Should I give it a shot? I read all the users' comments and am just terrified my anxiety and panic attacks are going to skyrocket, and my sleep has been much better with the Neurontin. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-) ~Jen
Latuda: to take or not to take?
Question posted by baristajen on 21 July 2012
Last updated on 21 July 2023
28 Answers Page 2
NO! Please please DO NOT take this drug! The side effects, if it's not the right drug for you are horrendous! I I have clinical depression, PTSD and ADHD. I lost my insurance due to losing my job due to these things interfering with the quality of my work. Since I didn't make enough money to buy into the exchange I was forced to go on medical. Once I did, I lost many of my doctors that don't take Medical. When I saw a new psychiatrist, she insisted I was bipolar and not ADHD. She was wrong. She put me on Latuda. For a few weeks I seemed a little off and my friends would question me. I just said I'm getting used to the medication this will pass. It DID NOT I woke up one day I could not hardly swallow and my mouth felt like somebody lit it on fire. I went to the doctor and he said I didn't have strep throat and I had no fever so he sent me home two days later I was in the emergency room.
I swear I've never gone through anything so agonizing as the side effects for Latuda. The emergency room doctor insisted I stop taking all medications. Silly me, I did so; everything just got worse. I literally thought I lost my mind and wasn't going to get it back. After I got help from a competent doctor I begin to feel better and looked up all the side effects. I had just about every single one. Our brain is full of chemicals and when the wrong chemical is introduced it can really mess you up. If you read into it it also states that it can induce schizophrenia and or Parkinson's. I have a friend with Parkinson's; no one wants that!! I had a small taste of it from this drug! The shakes the trimmers the vomiting the cold sweats the jerking the twitching the uncontrollable movements that's only the beginning. If you are not bipolar or schizophrenic please, I pray you do not take this drug!!
Induce Schizophrenia and Parkinson's ? Your statements are incorrect . Latuda cannot "induce" these illnesses . What they can do is induce "substance psychosis " and "symptoms".
What this means is that you have similar symptoms to the disease , but not the disease itself . Hallucinations and paranoia and shaking etc -- I should know as a hcp and a patient. I went through 3 days of hell, but I had faith in my doctor . After three days , I was feeling absolutely amazing . The only side effect I worry about is weight gain so I've curtailed my diet a bit and added to my workout a bit . Trusting your doctor is paramount . Hope all works out for you .
Dommiedoll said "Latuda cannot "induce" these illnesses ."
This is by far a known truth.. It is VERY POSSIBLE Latuda can induce these diseases..
Isn't this question 4 1/2 years old?
This forum is full of people you should be leary of.
ANYONE WHO SAYS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO A PERSON BECAUSE IF TITLE, UNIFORM, IT PROFESSION- does not have your best interest at heart.
You shouldn't listen to anyone on taking latuda except if they have it are talking latuda.
I am on 20mg of latuda each morning. Compared to other drugs I have been put on in inpatient, this one is the gold standard. I can focus and think. But it doesn't treat any of the conditions.
I'm also on 300mg trileptal x2 daily.
I know it's kinda late to respond but I wouldn't take Latuda for your condition sounds like you have depression. A Dr. put me on Latuda in 2012 and it messed my up so bad I think they were still experimenting with this drug giving to everyone, I also
am not bipolar nor do I have schizofrenia, or schizoaffective disorder,,, I ended up in the hospital because of the side effects, and I beg the doctor to take my off this Latuda and he would not budge, he would say no you just got to give it more time. I couldn't sleep, my anxiety was worse than ever I would pace back and forth all night, I had suicidal thoughts it for over 6 months. All because a misdiagnosis...
I was also put on this without being schizo or bipolar. I wanted to admit myself, instead I asked to stop taking this which my Dr agreed. I made me feel like someonelse. I laid in bed praying for these feelengs to go away. From now on I will do research before going on any medication.
When a doctor prescribes a medication and ignores your small or serious side effect complaints - it seems to me that a patient does have rights NOT to take the drug - especially when the person doesn't have the problem the drug was created for.
We all know the drug companies come into the doctors offices pushing this or that drug and the doctors prescribe it and the patients are the ones who end up suffering.
Does it help the patient or the bottom line of the drug company more ?
Misdiagnosis happen all the time. It takes lots of time and is very complicated to diagnose complicated mental and emotional problems.
Jen: I take lithium and depakote (20 yrs) and just started taking Latuda three weeks ago. Game changer is all I can say. Good results in two days. Discontinued depakote but stayed with 1200mg lithium. The main thing is though if your not getting the results intended you can stop the medication. Keep looking for the right mixture in your med's. Good Luck Declan
I too was given samples of latuda by my psychiatrist to help depression. I also take Zoloft and Wellbutrin. I've had it in the cupboard for 5 weeks... I worry about the rare side effect of neuroleptic malignia. My question is will I notice this side effect right away if I'm going to experience it or will I get it weeks, months or years after I started?
I've been on the Latuda for two weeks now. I am only taking 10mg because it seems like I'm sensitive to a lot of medications. everyone is different, but my experience was hell for the first several days. I experienced a bad, ongoing, 24/7 headache the moment I took the first pill. I also experienced itching/small rashes. I also noticed my depression and anxiety worsen. But I think by the second week or after a week and a half I started feeling less emotional. Oh, I was also crying all the time since being on it. I am not bipolar or schizophrenic, but I do have major depressive disorder. I used to take Seroquel but weaned myself off on my own (my dr didn't offer me help) because I experienced the night eating/binging. So I've been prescribed anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers before even though I'm not bipolar. I also was terribly worried about started the med. I was also depressed that this was my last medication option.
I was told it would help me sleep so that's why I jumped on the opportunity to take this since the nurse/psych wouldn't let me try trazodone and increase my zoloft to help my sleep. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped my sleep. I plan to increase it soon to see if that will help my sleep. I had wanted to take it at bedtime with a snack, but read on the latuda website that it should be taken with food, 350 calories or more. Well I don't eat that much before bed. So I take it at dinner time. It kind of complicates things because I eat dinner away from my home. So I have to find the right time to double the dose because I'm afraid of how it will affect me.
I try not to let things online, reviews, etc influence me on whether or not I take a med or not. So I hope you make your own decision based on your moods. I've gone through a lot this past summer and it's been really hard. I'm not saying I'm happy or content with my life, but I definitely feel and see a change in my emotional and mental stability with being on Latuda. Even though I don't get enough sleep I'm now able to get up earlier than normal compared to what I used to do. I like that. I'm headache-prone, so I still have a headache every now and then while being on it, but it's nowhere near as bad as the massive headache i had first starting out on the med. I also can't take anything for my headaches so that sucked/sucks.
Oh and I was hesitant and terrified to take the medication because of the nausea side effect. I've experienced no nausea! And i think it's because I'm taking it at dinner time. I was told that it should be taken with a meal, your biggest meal of the day.
You can always stop taking Latuda if you are not getting the results you need.
My Dr. just prescribed Navane for extreme and so far, untreatable social anxiety. I've never heard of Latuda, but it sounds similar. Has anyone had experience with both? And if so do you have a preference?
I should mention I was diagnosed Bipolar a couple months ago. I take Lamictal, klonopin, Wellbutrin, celexa, Seroquel XR nd now Navane.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, my doctor prescribed me Navane and I hated it. It made me feel crazy and paranoid. I took take Wellbutrin and have also been prescribed seroquel, which I took and also didn't like. I am also diagnosed as bipolar, so maybe our situations are similar. Wellbutrin works ok for me but I still don't feel happy and I don't feel like it's enough. My doctor recently prescribed me latuda and I never took it for fear of weight gain. However, I am reading some really positive reviews about how it has changed people's lives. I have also read positive reviews of people taking it with Wellbutrin and being happy with the results. I am considering starting this medication as well, but am worried about possible weight gain and loss of sex drive. I'm going to talk to my doctor and maybe you should too. Hopefully the good will outweigh the bad and we can feel better. Good luck :)
you are taking to much, and need a second opinion from a family doctor.,
there are new meds out there for anxiety. ask about propranolol. google it. get better help
@Ladyartist, I have to totally disagree with your advice for "finding a good family Dr." to treat mental health issues. In my experience GP's/family Dr's know very little about mental disorders and the drugs used to treat them, yet don't hesitate to start prescribing the latest and "greatest" med that the pharmacy rep sold them on. Also propranolol' use for anxiety is very limited, does nothing to alleviate the mental symptoms, only treats the physical symptoms such as tachycardia, sweating, shaking etc. All it does is block norepinephrine at the alpha1 receptors.
I am on Lamictal, Lexapro, Bupropion and Latuda for Bipolar 1. All of these meds are excellent, especially Latuda. Latuda changed my life.
Brilliant
I am not diagnosed bipolar and doctor wants me on Latuda . Did it help your anxiety ?
Latuda is very helpful for depression. It is NOT just for schizophrenia either, despite the OPINION of another poster here. It is used routinely as a mood stabilizer, not merely as an "off label" or occasional custom. Additionally, although all possible side effects that have ever been reported must, by law, be listed in all descriptions of any drug in the US, that does not mean that all of them are common/frequent, or that every patient will experience all - or even any - of them. Many times during studies a subject will report headaches, backaches, sniffles and any number of trifling ailment they may experience whether related or not; every one of these, no matter how slight, must and will be recorded by the researchers. The percentages are posted along with them; notice how some are 1 person out of thousands (stomach upset), etc.
I have been taking Latuda for almost two years. I have yet to experience any - and I stress ANY - side effects from it whatsoever. I took Zyprexa for over 10 years before that, and it worked incredibly well to break depressions so bleak that I was on the very brink of suicide numerous times (once I was actually in the car in a closed garage with the engine running when it began to work its magic). Problem was, Zyprexa caused me to gain over 100 lbs in 8 months which wouldn't come off no matter how hard I worked at it, and I also became pre-diabetic. (I'd weighed under 100 lbs all my life prior to starting on the drug, so it's not like I had a weight problem to begin with, either.)
Latuda is the same type/class drug as Zyprexa (atypical antipsychotic) but doesn't cause the serious side effects of Zyprexa, and it has been proven to work better with a smaller dose. It is important to take it with food, at least 350 calories, as this ensures that the entire amount will be properly absorbed in the bloodstream for maximum effectiveness.
Of course it's important to ask questions, do research, and take responsibility for your own care. However, no one on here - including yourself, I presume - and myself, I'll state openly - possesses the decades of education, training, and experience of a medical professional such as an MD or a psychopharmacologist (the source of the information I'm posting here), so one should be wary of information they find on the 'net or anecdotal evidence ("my cousin's neighbor's sister's ex-boyfriend's mother was attacked by a pitbull, which proves they're born killers and should be banned" is a good example of misinformed people spreading false and inaccurate information resulting in irrational and illogical fear in millions which becomes impossible to eradicate.)
One final note: taking Xanax daily every four hours (or any regular basis) for a prolonged period of time can not only cause a horrible rebound effect of worsening anxiety and deep depression, but stopping it suddenly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, possibly even a life-threatening medical emergency. It's a powerful, addicting drug that should be slowly and gradually tapered off.
Please have a talk with your doctor about your concerns before you decide not to take Latuda as prescribed based on your fears and society's stigma regarding "mental illnesses" like Bipolar Disorder. It's a mistake to attempt to diagnose yourself, especially when it comes to treatment with powerful, mind-altering medications. Ask him why he believes you may have Bipolar Disorder, explain to him why you feel differently, and be honest about your fears of side effects. If he's any good, he'll discuss these things with you. If he does not, look for a Pdoc who will.
Good luck to you. Hope you find a pdoc and a medication that works for you.
I take latuda been on it for over three months. Have tried many other drugs in the past that didnt help as much. I was scared of the side effects but i talked to my dr and he said sometimes you have to accept some risk to feel happy. And the latyda has been helping me i have down days but nothing like before my energys back been able to loose weight that other meds have made me gain. Ive been diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety. I hope u get the
answers u are looking for.
Doctors are good people, generally, trying to do the best they can. If this doctor is your GP, I would suggest a referral to a psychiatrist, this is their specialty. If the doctor is a psychiatrist, I would talk to her/him about your fears. It is the doctors' job to explain these medications to you let you know what to expect.
I am glad to see that you did your research, now is the time to put that to good use by asking what it means from the expert in that area, normally a psychiatrist.
Good luck,
RonMan
I disagree with the previous post. If your doctor prescribes something, you should CONSIDER taking it, after getting more information and perhaps, as mentioned, a second opinion. Latuda is a strong medication used primarily for schizophrenia and secondarily, for bipolar disorder--which you say you disagree about the diagnosis. This is a warning sign to me that if your doctor and you disagree, you should at least see someone else first before just taking anything prescribed. I have had several psych MD's order medications to try, just because they are new on the market and they had samples to try out. Concerned
Latuda was originally developed for the treatment of schizophrenia, but was approved for the treatment of bipolar depression in June, 2013. It is now the most frequently prescribed medication for this disorder.
I'm curious why he would have ordered it instead of something for depression. He must have had a reason. If you are truly uneasy about it, you should talk to him first. Maybe you'll need a second opinion from another psych.
Latuda is very helpful for depression. It is NOT just for schizophrenia either, despite the OPINION of one of the following posters. It is used routinely as a mood stabilizer, not merely as an "off label" or occasional custom. Additionally, although all possible side effects that have ever been reported must, by law, be listed in all descriptions of any drug in the US, that does not mean that all of them are common/frequent, or that every patient will experience all - or even any - of them. Many times during studies a subject will report headaches, backaches, sniffles and any number of trifling ailment they may experience whether related or not; every one of these, no matter how slight, must and will be recorded by the researchers. The percentages are posted along with them; notice how some are 1 person out of thousands (stomach upset), etc.
I have been taking Latuda for two years. I have yet to experience any - and I stress ANY - side effects from it whatsoever. I took Zyprexa for over 10 years before that, and it worked incredibly well to break depressions so bleak that I was on the very brink of suicide numerous times (once I was actually in the car in a closed garage with the engine running when it began to work its magic). Problem was, Zyprexa caused me to gain over 100 lbs in 8 months which wouldn't come off no matter how hard I worked at it, and I also became pre-diabetic. (I'd weighed under 100 lbs all my life prior to starting on the drug, so it's not like I had a weight problem to begin with, either.)
Latuda is the same type/class drug as Zyprexa (atypical antipsychotic) but doesn't cause the serious side effects of Zyprexa, and it has been proven to work better with a smaller dose. It is important to take it with food, at least 350 calories, as this ensures that the entire amount will be properly absorbed in the bloodstream for maximum effectiveness.
Of course it's important to ask questions, do research, and take responsibility for your own care. However, no one on here - including yourself, I presume - and myself, I'll state openly - possesses the decades of education, training, and experience of a medical professional such as an MD or a psychopharmacologist (the source of the information I'm posting here), so one should be wary of information they find on the 'net or anecdotal evidence ("my cousin's sister's neighbor's ex-boyfriend's mother was attacked by a pitbull, which proves they're born killers and should be banned" is a good example of misinformed people spreading false and inaccurate information resulting in irrational and illogical fear in millions which becomes impossible to eradicate.)
One final note: taking Xanax daily every four hours (or any regular basis) for a prolonged period of time can not only cause a horrible rebound effect of worsening anxiety and deep depression, stopping it suddenly can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, possibly even a life-threatening medical emergency. It's a powerful, addicting drug that should be slowly and gradually tapered off.
Please have a talk with your doctor about your concerns before you decide not to take Latuda as prescribed based on your fears and society's stigma regarding "mental illnesses" like Bipolar Disorder. It's a mistake to attempt to diagnose yourself, especially when it comes to treatment with powerful, mind-altering medications. Ask him why he believes you may have Bipolar Disorder, explain to him why you feel differently, and be honest about your fears of side effects. If he's any good, he'll discuss these things with you. If he does not, look for a Pdoc who will.
Good luck to you. Hope you find a pdoc and a medication that works for you.
What im curious about this is my byfriend is taking latuda, but only at night. So if this stabilizes or keeps their mood at a steady level thats tolerable for them why is he only taking it at night?? Sorry my punctuation isnt perfect but
I'm not a doctor. That being said, I can tell you from my limited knowledge that the half-life of Latuda is approx. 18 hours, meaning that about 18 hours after taking the drug, roughly half the dose will have left your body. Dose frequencies are, as I understand, designed to maintain a stable concentration of the drug in one's bloodstream.
Related topics
depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizoaffective disorder, latuda, grief
Further information
- Latuda uses and safety info
- Latuda prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Latuda (detailed)
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