Latuda and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• geo...
• February 3, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar and have been on Latuda for 3 days. Until reading your post, I was going to take myself off. The irritability is through the roof, and right now I am in my manic mode, getting up every day at 4:00, so lack of sleep doesn't help. My thoughts are foggy. But I am giving this medicine 2 weeks, I should know by then. Latuda replaced the Risperdal. I am on 1500 lithium, Klonopin, Prozac, and Vyvanse. So I hope to feel as good as all of you. Thanks for your experiences."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this medicine for 2 months now. They upped my dosage every week as follows: 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg. I went to my check-up, and I still felt very irritable and mean, so she bumped me to 80 mg and said that should work. No! I hated it! I felt like I was jumping out of my skin, I couldn't sit still and felt so antsy that I couldn't sleep. I had to drink a beer or take a Xanax to fall asleep. I decided to take matters into my own hands and dropped myself back down to 40 mg, and I feel great now. I have no depression, and I feel alive again. My anxiety is still here, but I will be back on my Klonopin soon to help. I have to take this with dinner, or I feel nauseous."

• AJ6...
• August 18, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Latuda for about 6 months for bipolar disorder. I was taking just Seroquel but had breakthrough anxiety and depression, so my psychiatrist added Latuda. It definitely has helped with my depression and anxiety. My big issue is I can only tolerate 10 mg/day. Anything more than that and I have severe insomnia. Also, having to take it with 350 calories is a pain. I take it at lunchtime. The 10 mg dose does not make me sleepy. I would warn anybody taking this medication to be careful when stopping it. I abruptly stopped it a few weeks ago and sank into the worst, deepest, most God-awful depression of my life. After a week, I started back on the Latuda and 6 days back on it, I'm feeling better."

• MrE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I am on day #10 of this medication, and the side effects are very minimal, although I am having trouble sleeping. My sleep patterns have been affected. I feel more energetic, as if I have to be doing something. My mind will not stop repeating the same thoughts over and over again. I am also very hungry and have an increased appetite. It does, however, cause me to think about things differently, as I know what my general reaction to things would be or have been in the past, but it allows me time to think of an alternative besides being explosive. It has calmed me, and more than once, has helped me cope with a situation differently and more calmly. Overall, I think I'm doing well so far. I plan to continue this medication for some time."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have some kind of depressive disorder. Never have had a diagnosis done, but I ruminate a lot. I also suffered a manic episode a few months ago, which served to make me feel more trapped and hopeless than ever. I started Latuda about 6 weeks ago at 20 mg. My psych was confident about this medication. Three weeks into the treatment, I began to feel way less depressed. I was socializing more, and I wouldn't get stuck in my thoughts. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, it lasted only for a few days, and the depression came back. I continued to work with my doctor, and we increased the dosage from 40 to 60 to 80. Right now, I am tapering off of it and feeling more miserable and incapacitated than I have in my entire life. It's horrible. I feel like I don't know what to do with myself. The voice in my head is relentless. This medication made me worse, and my psych and I had very high hopes for it. I couldn't sleep on it as well. I wanted to stick it out to see if a higher dose would work for me, but decided that the depression I'm experiencing now is much too intense to push on through. I'm going to see her ASAP after the holidays and ask to be put on Lactimal. Maybe this will work for you, but it was not my niche. I'm giving it a two only because I experienced no side effects aside from the insomnia, and Seroquel took care of that."

• Juj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I never heard of Restless Legs Syndrome till being on Latuda for 6 months. I have bipolar and after taking 40 mg for two months, increasing to 80 mg and then dropping to 40 mg after 5 episodes of restless legs, developed worse depression and insomnia I have ever experienced, had to stop taking Latuda after the 6th episode of worse Restless Legs Syndrome. After 4 hours of another Restless Legs Syndrome torture, crying on the floor, my husband drove me to the hospital."

• can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on Latuda 20 mg for 2 weeks for bipolar depression. I'm sure my doc will increase my dosage at my next appointment this week, but I definitely felt better after a few days at 20 mg. Not great, but better than I have in a long time. Kind of a strange feeling to feel a little better after feeling suicidal and depressed for years. I still take clonazepam for my severe anxiety, but I feel Latuda can ease my anxiety and depersonalization more with an increase. At first, Latuda knocked me out, and I slept like a baby. I have trouble sleeping, so this was a nice side effect for me. Now, after almost two weeks at 20 mg, this side effect has subsided. Bummer. So far that's the only side effect I've had. No akathisia for now, thank goodness."

• 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."

• sri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was looking forward to trying Latuda, however, in the month that I took it, the side effects were too much for me. I could not sleep, I was restless, irritable, argumentative - basically not pleasant to be around. And it made my muscles ache so badly I could hardly walk. It wasn't for me. Good luck!"

• Mus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Latuda 20mg 5 months ago with no results until a few weeks later, increasing dosage to 40mg. Felt pretty good, the depression & anxiety improved, but still not 'balanced.' 6 weeks ago, I increased my dosage of Wellbutrin from 150mg to 300mg and finally felt really good for a change! But now the past 3-4 wks, I feel I am in hypermania, as all the signs are there... I'm talking fast and a lot, making purchases online, which I don't normally do, and sleep is sketchy! Since I, like most, prefer mania over all other moods, I haven't contacted my therapist yet, because I know more changes to medications are imminent, before I crash and go into deep depression. One last try with Latuda, increasing the dosage to 80mg next week."

• I...
• June 19, 2016

For Schizophrenia "I have been taking this medication for 2 years now. The first year, it worked like a wonder pill. Minimal side effects such as nausea and drowsiness after ingesting it. Sometimes I would have a feeling of impending doom, like if my life was going to end after I took the pill. Later, this medicine turned out horrible. I don't know what a night's sleep is. It causes me severe insomnia. I feel always tired, even after sleeping 15 hours. I'm suffering from severe depression from this medicine. It makes me irritable and angry. It drains me of motivation. The only thing I can say good about this medicine is that it has caused me no weight gain whatsoever. This medication drains me from being able to live life."

• J00...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Latuda for 3-4 years at 40 mg. I also take Celexa for my bipolar 1 disorder. The Latuda has helped me feel better, but the weight gain of 50 lbs I put on has depressed me to the point that I stopped taking Latuda this week. So far, I have just experienced some insomnia and racing thoughts. I pray that these symptoms will pass soon. I am looking into treating my bipolar 1 with vitamins and minerals. If you have any suggestions or thoughts, please share them. I am hoping to lose all the weight I gained. Thank you, and God bless."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Latuda 20 several months ago. It made my insomnia worse, increased my racing thoughts, and I felt like I was in a constant state of panic. After discussing all of this with the doctor, she doubled the dosage. After 2 weeks with maybe an hour of sleep a night, no appetite, a constant racing mind, and disabling panic, I sought the advice of my PCP. He has been treating me for more than 10 years now and ordered me to immediately discontinue it. I'm not completely cured by any means, but the excessive symptoms are much more tolerable, and I can usually sleep now."

• Ann...
• August 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I started on 20 mg of Latuda for bipolar and anxiety disorder. I felt the same as I always do during the first week of starting Latuda. Then I upped it to 40 mg a week later, and about an hour later I felt super tired, dizzy, confused, slow heartbeat, and unaware of what was going on around me. To make it all worse, I had trouble sleeping. But I felt so weak, like I needed to sleep but couldn't. I'm unsure whether I should continue or discontinue it. Overall rating on this drug would be a 5. Those were terrible side effects, and they hit me hard."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Latuda 11 months ago (20 mg, then 40, now 60), and I think all it does is trigger hypomanic episodes with dose increases, and when those end, I end up feeling more depressed than ever. The depressive episodes on Latuda have been some of my worst in over three years, and the hypomanic episodes seem to last longer than usual. I also get ridiculously restless, having trouble falling asleep, but then having trouble waking up (I sleep through alarms for over an hour). I thought I found the drug for me, but I'll be seeing my psychiatrist soon to switch. At least it worked well for a while?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 9, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have been taking Latuda for about 4 years now. I have to say the results have been amazing! Thank God! I was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Hearing voices in my head was not my ideal life. The voices had me all over the place! With Latuda, I’ve been able to live a normal life again. Clear thoughts! The only thing is the price and some insomnia I experience, but with a prescription for insomnia it balances out. Definitely would recommend."

• Alb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I don't understand anyone starting any higher than 20 mgs. I started at 10 mgs. I couldn't sleep and was so restless I couldn't imagine starting any higher. Took 25 mg Seroquel to sleep and only slept about 3 hours, but it lifts my depression in 1 day."

• dav...
• October 3, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Have bipolar type II, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive traits. Latuda changed my life and made me more functional. The pros: clear-headed, focused, makes me wake up early in the morning, helps with going to sleep if taken at dinner. My weight gain was minimal (5 to 7 pounds). I am in my mid-thirties and walk every other day, work out 2x a week. I am 170 lbs. This drug helps me so much with suicidal ideations and boosts me. I barely notice the depression bouts anymore. My cycle is hypomania 10 days, 10 days depression, ten days euthymia. The cons: it doesn't work well for hypomania. I have chronic insomnia, and I feel slightly lethargic. I'm at 80 mg but will try to go down to 60 mg again. I tried Risperidone and Seroquel. Both utter failures. Give it a try."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been severely suicidal for 15 years with no attempts in that time. Just could not escape the repetitive desire to escape my bad depression. Started taking Latuda 4 months ago, 80 mg, and suicidal thoughts have diminished greatly. Problem sleeping now and some twitching, doc put me up to 120 mg and sleeping only 3 hours a night usually. I am 250 pounds and was 290 before bipolar medicine. Food cravings have pretty much ceased. Amazing thing is even with little sleep, I am not having nearly as many haywire thoughts from my schizophrenia as I usually do without much sleep. Actually want to try now. I am back down to 80 mg and think I am going to halve that to 40 mg in a week to get sleep back under control. Xanax and Unisom are helping for sleep now."

• Thu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed Latuda and told that 20 mg would be wasting both my and the doctor's time. Started at 20 mg the first week and upped to 40 mg. Felt good, but thought I could feel better, so I asked to up the dosage to 80 mg. Huge mistake! The restlessness, pacing, severe insomnia, heart palpitations, etc. I had slept 10 hours in a two-week period and felt like I was crawling out of my skin while thinking really dark thoughts. I immediately started tapering my dose and saw the doctor on day three of withdrawal. She prescribed benztropine once a day and hydroxyzine three times a day as needed. I'm still feeling not right and tapering again to 20 mg. I cannot wait to get this out of my system."

• Eve...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "This is among the most tolerable antipsychotic medications you could take, ignoring the few hours of anxiety that could range from dread to panic attacks after taking the medication, and this is something almost impossible to deal with, so I’d advise taking it when you are very, very sleepy. If you don’t eat enough, you will become nauseous, and nausea/headaches are a real issue. Restless legs too. Weight gain is a minimal issue, and the nausea can even reduce appetite, I find. As for sleep, you could find yourself sleeping for up to 12 hours initially, but after some months, insomnia could become a problem, or sleeping 3 hours, then dozing off in the day for at least 10. Now, the real issues would be hair loss to the extent of balding, facial muscle irregularities and tension (felt this in my jaw and had extreme asymmetry then went off and I look ok-ish), mild hypotension, very dry skin, tremors/trembling and shakes (this could be dramatic), and manic symptoms missing a dose for 2+ days."

• CJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Latuda 20 mg now for a few months. Prior to Latuda, I was on no medication. I was a great sleeper, going to bed early and waking up late. Now, I am unable to stay asleep. I toss and turn what seems like all night. I used to never recall my dreams, yet now I'm having vivid nightmares of burning bodies and people being chased by unseen entities. I had a vivid dream where I could literally feel myself trying to scream, however, I couldn't get it out. I felt my mouth moving as if I was awake, but I was in fact asleep. It is time for a change. I wake up irritable, angry, and have even begun to have suicidal thoughts, typically soon after waking up in the morning. I cannot stay on this medication. This is so bad for me."

• dop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been taking Latuda for about a month with two increases, now at 60 mg for the past 4 days. While it has been effective at pulling me out of my most recent depressive episode, and seems to have decreased my chronic anxiety, I am now irritable and having trouble falling asleep at night. Also experienced 2 days of twitching eyelid. But last night, I experienced the worst RLS episode of my life, don’t know if it qualifies as akinesia, but it was severe and disturbing. Plan to decrease back down to 40 mg."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug definitely made me feel less crappy (and being on it allowed me to experience happiness more). That being said, it also drained my motivation in a manner similar to olanzapine, and I couldn't sleep. I'm pretty sensitive to drugs - this was just from 2 days on 10 mg Latuda and then a day and a half off of it. Maybe you will have a better time with it if you don't have trouble sleeping. Oh, also watch the price tag - if you're poor, it might be more cost-effective to use an SSRI. Talk to the doctor about the price."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2021

"Started back on Latuda 2 weeks ago. Came off of Seroquel, and my body adjusted to the Latuda quickly, which was a pleasant surprise. Except for a light tremor in my hands and a little coordination issue. This drug works so well for my schizoaffective disorder. A real blessing to me. My mind is quiet and calm finally. The only issue I have is I can't take it at night because it messes up my sleep, and I have very little appetite. Otherwise, so far, so good. I had to stop the Seroquel because I had very bad tardive dyskinesia. Thank you, Latuda."