Latuda and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I’m a 55-year-old woman with a 22-year history of anxiety and depression that started postpartum. I’m ultra-sensitive to meds, but I want people to know to be careful with this medication if you have panic disorder or severe anxiety. Latuda was fine for me at 20 mg, but when I was increased to 40 mg, I experienced the most intense akathisia, anxiety, and shortness of breath. I seriously wanted to die that night. I was downing Ativan and Benadryl (helps akathisia) and could not sit down, had to pace, for the next 6 hours. I also take Pristiq 25 mg and 37.5 mg of Seroquel daily. My MD lowered my Latuda back down to 20 mg, will see how it goes. Be careful!"

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Took Latuda 3 years ago for major depressive and anxiety disorder for about half a year at 20 mg, and it worked incredibly well, but I lost insurance. Side effects that I remember were mostly tremors. I was able to get a trial from a new doctor this year, but he only had 120 mg. I know it's seriously ill-advised, but he suggested I cut the pill into 6 pieces. I did that out of desperation and even shaved them down to make sure it was less than 20 mg. I've been doing this for about 3 months. It helps, but the side effects can be bad. I feel discomfort during the day sometimes that I can't really describe; I feel irritable and scared when I'm going to sleep, which is the worst of my side effects: head tremors. I also gained some weight, but only a couple lbs at best. Obviously, my current experience is through manipulation of the pill, which you definitely should not do, but hopefully it helps someone weigh their thoughts."

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Latuda for 2 weeks and had loss of appetite, anxiety, crying spells, restless, had most quickly non-stop racing thoughts like I was going mad, losing my mind. I now am too afraid to try another medication, but I know I need for a better quality of life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 5, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I got on Latuda while I was pregnant with my daughter because what I was taking wasn't safe for a baby. I have to say, at first I thought it was great. It seemed to level me out, and I did well for a while. Then things started to change drastically for me. I was noticing my anxiety was through the roof, and I was constantly obsessing about things happening that were far from reality. This went on for a couple of years until I reevaluated that my life turned upside down months after I started taking this drug. I had never been so far from reality and not present. This drug literally took life from me and made me lose myself. I am currently tapering off the drug and began something else and already feel these horrible effects tapering off. The paranoia that I felt was almost unbearable at times, and it was the worst experience I have ever dealt with. I can't say that I don't recommend this to others because we all react differently. But this medication definitely wasn't for me."

• A...
• July 1, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Latuda for about 4-5 months, after taking myself off Seroquel. Latuda seemed promising, as it has fewer metabolic side effects than other atypical antipsychotics. However, Latuda immediately gave me severe anxiety (which added Klonopin to my daily regimen). Towards the end of the 4-5 months, I began developing recurring and intense dark thoughts immediately after increasing my Latuda dosage. I instantly took myself off the drug and am searching for a new atypical antipsychotic to fill its place. I know that Latuda has worked very well for some, but I want to add a warning that it can cause severe anxiety. Monitor your symptoms carefully with your doctor."

• Nev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 25, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I've trialed this drug on and off for bipolar II. Every single time the same experience happens. I feel a particular unease in my stomach that's very hard to describe. I will be in bed at rest, yet I have this anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. My mind has no idea what is going on. All I know is it happens every afternoon after I take Latuda with food. My nights are ruined because of this drug. Valium or Ativan may help sometimes, but even that's not reliable. The feeling is so much worse than any type of anxiousness I've felt before. It's very physical and confusing. Nothing helps, so once again I will go off the drug and deal with my mood disorder by myself. I have written a note to self, stopped taking Latuda because of the unease, empty anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach, you can't think straight, words are hard to find, and you just feel like hiding from yourself, but you can't. This feeling lasts for hours until I finally fall asleep."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I started on Latuda 40 mg and felt great. I had come off 17 years on Zyprexa, which had left me 25 kilos heavier and on the brink of diabetes. At 40 mg, I had no side effects. Then I was put under a trauma and had a slight psychotic break. My dose was increased to 80 mg. When this happened, I started having major vivid nightmares. Also, huge anxiety. I got to the end of what I could take and read a review that said the nightmare lasts 1 month. I was at that, so I persevered. They stopped. I have lost 19 kilos now and can function reasonably well. I can work part-time and am well during the day. My voices are now minimal. I can drive better. The only problem is the anxiety I get about 2 hours after having the tablet. I am now trying to manage that. I don’t know what side effects I will get over time, but I am now living a good life during the day. It was really, really hard at first. The anxiety is there, but I am trying to put into place a strategy to manage it."

• Dai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Latuda 40mg for 10 months, and I felt it was effective for my mood swings. However, I began having intense anxiety. I’m talking paranoid, terrifying, nonstop anxiety. I had akathisia and outrageous muscle twitches. I couldn’t eat, I lost 17 pounds in 6 weeks. I didn’t need to lose, by the way. I finally tapered off, which was extremely difficult. It has been 6 months since I’ve stopped taking it, and I am still having some side effects! Please do your research before taking this medication! It’s absolutely not worth losing your mind. The long-term side effects are still unknown. I’m still trying to heal. I couldn’t even leave my house! So, just a heads up...if you’re going through this, you’re not alone! It does get a little better once you get away from it."

• JEN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "HORRIBLE DRUG! Beware of the side effects. I have had severe tremors, restlessness, abnormal sweating... I feel like I've been living in another world. This has caused so much more anxiety than I had before, as I don't even feel human. I can't sleep. My doctor instructed me to stop taking this med immediately! That my side effects are severe. FYI, I was taking it for Bipolar. This all happened in 8 days. I can't stand or sit still. Muscle weakness. Please be careful and take caution when beginning this med. Hope others have better luck than I did with this."

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2016

For Schizophrenia "After years of thinking life was over and I would have to live with paranoia in public, voices in my head, and uncomfortable, horrific feelings for life, I tried this, and within a month it evenly spread what I was once missing in my head from being traumatized by the death of my grandpa. At first, my tongue was numb, and anxiety was high the next day after taking 40 mg at night with food, but taking Seroquel or Hydroxyzine every 6 hours frequently, they coordinated perfectly with each other, and throughout my experience, I forgot about the thoughts, delusions, and was able to live my life carefree as my psychosis being a bad memory."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have only been on Latuda a short period of time, unfortunately, I have to taper off of it. It makes me feel very lightheaded and dizzy. I have difficulty sleeping and have developed bad insomnia. Like others mentioned in their reviews, I feel flat, not happy or sad. The reason I am weaning off of it is that I almost went to the ER last evening. My anxiety was through the roof, it feels like you just want to jump out of your skin. Remember, everyone is different, and trying new medications is very complex. Always talk to your doctor before taking or stopping a medicine. Good luck to all who are suffering."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug made me feel like I was in a horror movie. An hour after taking it, it gave me extreme paranoia and anxiety, but the feeling was more extreme than this-words cannot do it justice. Also, I could not stop moving around. Could not relax-like I was on meth. It also made me suicidal. I had never been suicidal, and I tried to commit suicide three times in two weeks. Serious stuff. The doctor had been given free samples from a drug rep. I switched doctors, and he also tried to push Latuda for a second-showing me free samples."

• Eat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Med change Epilim to Latuda over 8 weeks. Ok, the change started off great, I'd been in bipolar depression for almost a year. After 2 days on Latuda, I was activated and over the moon happy, ok far, far too happy. The first day was like ecstasy. Two months passed, and everything was fine, I'd come out of depression, but the honeymoon took an abrupt ending when side effects made it the most undesirable experience. Intense anxiety, dread, panic, restless legs, fear, suicidal thoughts (never had those before, ever). Back to the doc, changed dosage and combinations a couple of times under his supervision, but it didn't work. Went completely off it and back to my longtime friends Seroquel XR and Epilim."

• Eat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Med change Epilim to Latuda over 8 weeks. Ok, the change started off great, I'd been in bipolar depression for almost a year. After 2 days on Latuda, I was activated and over the moon happy, ok far, far too happy. The first day was like ecstasy. Two months passed, and everything was fine, I'd come out of depression, but the honeymoon took an abrupt ending when side effects made it the most undesirable experience. Intense anxiety, dread, panic, restless legs, fear, suicidal thoughts (never had those before, ever). Back to the doc, changed dosage and combinations a couple of times under his supervision, but it didn't work. Went completely off it and back to my longtime friends Seroquel XR and Epilim."

• Eat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Med change Epilim to Latuda over 8 weeks. Ok, the change started off great, I'd been in bipolar depression for almost a year. After 2 days on Latuda, I was activated and over the moon happy, ok far, far too happy. The first day was like ecstasy. Two months passed, and everything was fine, I'd come out of depression, but the honeymoon took an abrupt ending when side effects made it the most undesirable experience. Intense anxiety, dread, panic, restless legs, fear, suicidal thoughts (never had those before, ever). Back to the doc, changed dosage and combinations a couple of times under his supervision, but it didn't work. Went completely off it and back to my longtime friends Seroquel XR and Epilim."

• Nug...
• May 7, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 2. Lamotrigine 400 mg of lamotrigine has taken away anger and irritability. I was still crying over everything, so my psychiatrist put me on Latuda 20 mg for 1 month. First week, projectile vomiting every other day for a week. Saw no benefit. I was bumped to 40. Immediately, I felt semi-anxious. Day 5, almost had a panic attack out of the blue. This med is not right for me. It really scared me how anxious and panicky I became on 40 mg. I am stopping after I call my doctor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Latuda for 6 months, and I am bipolar II. I also am on Wellbutrin. Overall, the medication has made me feel better. But I now find that I am suffering from intense anxiety, which is terrible at night. I need to check with my doctor to see if this is a possible side effect."

• Did...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2024

For Schizophrenia "I was hoping to have a good experience with this drug and came off Zyprexa because of the weight gain and fatigue. Within a little over a week of starting Latuda, I started grinding my teeth, felt like I was on speed in the mornings, horrible anxiety, feeling like I can't relax, racing intrusive thoughts that wouldn't stop, sweating and feeling hot… still hearing audio hallucinations. Decided tonight I just won't take it, I was on 20 mgs."

• LEV...
• October 22, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I just started taking Latuda, and have found it makes me very sleepy. I'm wondering if I should take it at night instead of the morning. I was on Wellbutrin but had to be taken off because of extreme anxiety and emotionality."

• Cri...
• July 23, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 58 and was diagnosed with Bipolar II and ADHD. I'm currently on Latuda 20 mg, Lamictal 300 mg, Cymbalta 60 mg, and Vyvanse 40 mg per day. Before Latuda, I would stay in bed for months and considered suicide. Within a week of starting it, I was motivated, hopeful, and energetic. I do experience significant restlessness, a weird anxiety, and hyperventilating about 2 hours after taking it-it also makes me drowsy-so I eat about 8 pm, take it (you must take Latuda with at least 350 calories for proper absorption of the med), and go to bed about 10. It doesn't bother me while I'm asleep. Unfortunately, I have noticed a return of some depressive symptoms lately. I tried 40 mg, but the side effects are too severe. :("

• Per...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This was a miracle drug at first. Then I started feeling terror. Pit-in-your-stomach dread, terror, and restlessness. I have never been so afraid. I could not stop rocking. I had a baby, and this ruined my experience of the first two years of her life. None of the inadequately trained medical professionals I saw identified that I had akathisia, it being easier to see an unstable woman. (Took antidepressants and sedatives for no reason; what I needed was to get off this terrifying medicine.) My symptoms resolved in 30 days. Caveat emptor. This was nothing short of torture. This is how psychiatric drugs get a bad name. Back on normal, predictable, helpful lithium."

• Per...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 14, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This was a miracle drug at first. Then I started feeling terror. Pit-in-your-stomach dread, terror, and restlessness. I have never been so afraid. I could not stop rocking. I had a baby, and this ruined my experience of the first two years of her life. None of the inadequately trained medical professionals I saw identified that I had akathisia, it being easier to see an unstable woman. (Took antidepressants and sedatives for no reason; what I needed was to get off this terrifying medicine.) My symptoms resolved in 30 days. Caveat emptor. This was nothing short of torture. This is how psychiatric drugs get a bad name. Back on normal, predictable, helpful lithium."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "The first 2 weeks or so on 60 mg, I had terrible akathisia, I'd be on all fours pounding the ground trying not to scream because it was so bad. It got upped to 80 mg, and I started taking it as the last thing before going to bed, which helped. I'm almost 2 months in and am tapering off because it's caused anxiety, it's messed up my gait, and I don't walk normally now. It makes me talk slow and slurred, I get random muscle jerks in my legs somewhat frequently, and it makes me feel absolutely apathetic about everything. I feel like my emotions are completely flat, I'm not sad but also not happy, just flat."

• Com...
• January 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently put on Latuda while an inpatient at a clinic to complement my Lamotrigine/Seroquel mix, as apparently it has good evidence they work well together. I lasted just one week. I know Latuda can work wonders for some people, so don't let me turn you off trying it. Although for me, it was terrible. No physical side effects, only terrible emotional effects. I had extreme anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and intense anger... also increased suicidal ideation. I was completely out of character while on it and even felt 'loopy.' It took a week to realize it was the Latuda causing it. As soon as I went off it, within two days of stopping, the emotional side effects had subsided, and I am back to normality with my Lamotrigine/Seroquel combo."

• phy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "After 5 months on this medication, it did nothing for my 'manic-depressive bipolar disorder' that I was diagnosed with. It caused me to rapidly put on fat and riddled me with anxiety. I've never had a panic attack in my life until I took this medication. I was prescribed Latuda 40 mg, after 2 months, I had numerous panic attacks and gained over 15 lbs of fat, made me very angry and antisocial. It's also expensive as hell, even with insurance. I quit taking it and forced myself to work out and eat clean, and I feel 10 times better than when I was taking this crap. No more depression, no more panic attacks or anger. My bipolar symptoms are completely gone from just changing my diet and adding structure to my chaotic life."