Latuda and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Wei...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Latuda does its job as described. I never felt icky when I started it, like some meds do to you. I really stayed on an even keel while taking it, but when I started gaining weight, I was a little concerned. But 2 months and 40 lbs later, I was surprised and disappointed. No, my eating habits didn't change, my exercise routine was still the same, and I still kept gaining weight. In the end, I gained 60+ lbs. I told my doc I couldn't keep taking Latuda, I couldn't afford to buy a bunch of new clothes! It took about 6 months, but all the weight I had gained was gone. Again, no change in eating or exercise routines. All I can say is beware."

• 258...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I have struggled with the depression part of bipolar well, forever. I am 34, finally, I can tell that this medication is not only helping with the bipolar part, but I actually feel good! This medicine is a godsend for me. I cannot testify to weight gain or side effects just yet because I have only been taking the medication for about 4 months. However, I can say that when I take it at night, I have the most horrific nightmares every night. I am going to try taking it in the morning, but I hear it may be a sedative. I do have a history of sleep paralysis, but this is a guarantee nightmare for me. A sleep aid like clonazepam sometimes helps, but it is a gamble. I also take 250 mg Lamictal a day and 50 mg Pristiq a day."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Unfortunately, Latuda didn’t work for me. I ended up gaining over 20 lbs in 2 months and had incessant muscle spasms. I’ve been on so many medications that can affect weight, yet I never would gain weight. I was 133 lbs, now I’m 155 lbs. The muscle spasms were so intense they would irritate and distract me, especially the eye twitch while I was driving. Had enough of it and stopped. Took about 2-3 months for the muscle spasms to subside. I wanted a medication that wouldn’t damage my body long-term, such as Latuda, but oh well. Went back to the gold standard of Lithium. Still glad I tried this medication anyhow!"

• Tra...
• November 5, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I took Latuda for three years until I figured out it was causing my anxiety attacks the whole time. It caused uncontrollable movements of my face, jaw, tongue, and hands. I also had restlessness, an uncontrollable urge to get up and walk around, self-isolation and fear of others, high blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, extreme sweating, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, weight gain, and racing thoughts. It was torture. I will take the chance of relapsing in order to determine if I will remain normal without meds. In these three years, I never had any symptoms, and I don't think it would be intelligent to immediately assume it was because the meds had been working the whole time. I now believe antipsychotics are not the end-all solution to mental illness, and more attentive and accurate evaluations of patients need to be conducted to get people off these horrible drugs as soon as possible."

• Gem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Lamictal and Wellbutrin for over 2 years without a lift on severe bipolar depression. It felt like they kept me just from the edge of suicide but in dark misery. We started trying atypical antipsychotics... Abilify helped a bit with 8 lbs weight gain, Saphris lowered anxiety and weight but left depression untouched. Then came Latuda, and life changed at 40 mg. The dark cloud lifted in three weeks, and I saw and thought and felt clearly. I'm envious that people feel this way all the time and don't appreciate it all. I'm finally living and not just surviving. Small prices to pay are sleepiness and having to eat so much to take the pills, because it knocks me out, I eat later than I'd like and have noticed weight gain."

• Ann...
• April 18, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I have suffered for 8 years, been hospitalized and tried many different meds, with side effects varying and different levels of therapeutic results for my schizophrenia/bipolar disorders. A few months ago, I had a severe schizophrenic episode, was hospitalized, and went from a high dose of Seroquel to a high dose of Abilify. Once home, I experienced severe muscle spasms, insane restlessness, and weight gain. I knew I could not tolerate the medication, but I wasn't stable enough or even completely to a good baseline despite the high dose. My doc introduced me to Latuda, and it was a miracle pill almost immediately. My weight continued to creep up on it, but that is my only complaint. I take 20 mg with no nausea or side effects."

• Tes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I started this med, Latuda, when I was locked up, and I'm so glad they put me on it. Immediately, the delusions were cut to a very minimum whisper. I have gained so much weight, though, so now I'm looking for a different med that won't cause me to have dyskinesia (I do with most). If anyone knows of anything similar to Latuda that won't cause me to keep ballooning, please, please tell me."

• The...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I will be honest. Starting this medication sucked. I always felt sick and nauseous. I never wanted to eat, I got dizzy to the point of almost falling over. I was also taking buspirone 3 times a day with it. I went from 250 lbs all the way down to 160 lbs in the span of 6 months. I could barely carry a grocery basket, I was so weak. But then my mania stopped, my depressive episodes stopped, and I stopped overthinking. My moods were stabilized, I stopped being angry and irritated all the time. Then my stomach issues cleared up, and I could eat again. I ate, I mean I ate. I went from 160 to 280 in a span of a year, I am not even being sarcastic. I really don't know if it's because I no longer feel excessive worry about what I eat. I'm on my way to losing weight now. I'm now losing weight again at 255 lbs and 6 ft 1. Still heavy but not so bad. I guess what I'm trying to say is it took time, it was hard but I stayed consistent. I improved! (Take with food before bed so you don't get sick! With 350 kcal)"

• Wei...
• August 12, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Sure, I feel great. But I've gained 20 pounds. I was 125, now I'm nearly 150. I'm a teenager, I don't need this. I don't even know why they put me on this drug in the first place. Not to mention that my hands have been shaky and slow. I'm an artist. This just isn't right for me."

• Joh...
• August 18, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Great medication, should be noted that all of those who are suffering side effects such as nausea or akathisia are suffering needlessly, as there are multiple medications that resolve those effects quickly and are not very taxing on the body. Zofran 30 minutes before taking medication for nausea, cheap and effective, just ask your doc for a script. Plenty of people who take Latuda use Zofran in conjunction and do just fine. For akathisia, either Cogentin or Propranolol will resolve it quickly and effectively with little side effects. I have used Latuda for over 3 years now, and there is no better, highly recommend this med, as nothing else has worked even close to as well. Most importantly, for those complaining about weight gain, they must watch what they eat or workout, as I have LOST tons of weight since the switch from Geodon to Latuda years ago and have kept it off."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm very frustrated. I gained so much weight on Seroquel, but felt great. But I continued to gain weight, so switched to Latuda. I'm miserable. I cannot sleep, which of course makes everything worse. I've tried it for a week and am having to switch back now. I hope I can find something eventually that helps me sleep and feel stable, but I don't gain weight."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I am diagnosed with bipolar depression, anxiety, and OCD. I had to get off Zyprexa because it was causing too much weight gain. I was really hoping Latuda would work because I was just so tired of this rough journey of trying so many meds! When I started Latuda, I started feeling super awake, weird, in a manic state, and all in all just an uncomfortable feeling. My brain couldn’t focus on doing any schoolwork at all. So if you’re taking this around school, be careful! On the bright side, it did bring my sexual libido back (after it being taken away by Zyprexa). I got off Latuda immediately because I was just so uncomfortable on it. Now I am on lithium, Prozac, and Lamictal, and everything has gotten better. Good luck and keep going-Latuda may work for you like many others, so consider trying it!!!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I have had a great therapeutic response to Latuda for my bipolar disorder with major depressive disorder. The symptoms of bipolar depressive disorder are very difficult to control with one medication, and Latuda was the fifth antipsychotic agent that I tried, and it had minimal side effects while controlling all the negative sides of depressive swings. Plus, it worked well with my antidepressant. I really would have given this drug a 10 instead of a 9, but the little bit of weight gain was still worth it. Another thing about it was that I personally noticed success with 40mg but had to gradually increase over time to 120mg. Still working, and I very much recommend at least trying if you are seeking a great antipsychotic. Plus, the generic versions (lurasidone) have great coupons and can get it for about $15 a month."

• Cou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 18, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Seroquel for quite some time and really liked it, but I didn't appreciate the small weight gain or my lack of desire to wake up in the morning. However, it stabilized my mood and gave me the best sleep of my life. My doctor suggested Latuda, which I've been taking for about 5 months now at 60 mg. Latuda is also great at stabilizing my mood and no weight gain, but it makes me terribly sick. I'm very nauseous even when I have food in my stomach-sometimes to the point I'm sure I'm going to vomit. It even makes my teeth hurt initially. I want to love this medication as it is truly helpful in mood stabilization, but the induced sickness every time I take it is getting old."

• Emm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 7, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Latuda calms me down. My psychiatrist upped my dosage from 10 to 20 mg when I experienced a hypomanic episode, and then I was able to calm down and function. For me, it reduces anxiety, but I’ve noticed I become very forgetful. I also gained a lot of weight on it. I feel like it’s choosing the lesser of two evils, and I’d much rather mentally function with a few negative side effects. It’s made a world of difference in my ability to do everyday tasks."

• eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor gave me Latuda because I wanted to stop Zyprexa and Seroquel because of the weight gain. She told me that Latuda doesn't cause weight gain. I took 40mg, and it seemed to work pretty well, it wasn't as great as Zyprexa, but it worked well. But I had to stop because, even though my insurance covered the drugs, the copay cost me $500, which I obviously cannot afford. So I'm going cold turkey on everything. Why can't I just be normal?"

• Gon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Took for one month in the midst of a deep depression (2 weeks at 20 mg, then 2 weeks at 40 mg). It flipped me into a mixed mania - even worse - so I discontinued it, but not before it jacked my weight up 15 lbs."

• elf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on Latuda for 2 weeks (20 mg), so I'm rating this medication based on short-term use. It's been wonderful so far. I've been on Lamictal + Neurontin for the past year and a half, and I was rapidly cycling instead of feeling genuinely stable or good. Latuda has really stabilized me. I feel 'good' every day, if not really good/great. I have energy, but not manic/frenzied/restless. 'Good mood' for me always carried the additional symptom of manic/tormenting agitation. I was afraid to take an antipsychotic because of the fear of weight gain. However, I have had no weight gain so far on Latuda. My appetite has been the same. I am also sleeping well. Latuda helps me fall asleep. No major side effects."

• 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."

• Pol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worst medicine for bipolar I have tried, it made me extremely angry and irritable. I got extreme hot flashes that got worse during the night, which prevented me from sleeping. It also made me feel more depressed and I actually gained weight on it. The withdrawals weren't that bad but the hot flashes haven't gone away completely. Not a good drug for me personally but I hope it works well for others."

• Ann...
• November 28, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Latuda for about half a year already. It has stopped the voices and visual hallucinations for a little while. But then they come back after a while. I'm on the highest dose right now, 160 mg, and I have had less frequent hallucinations, but they are still there. I am currently taking it with 5 mg of Zyprexa. I also have noticed a notable amount of weight gain, I went from 130 lbs to 170 lbs. I'm also on 5 other medications, so it's hard to target which is causing the weight gain. I'm also concerned about my blood sugar and the possibility of getting diabetes."

• JML...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Bipolar 2 cyclic. Started with Seroquel, Lamictal, and Vyvanse. Seroquel worked but horrible side effects: urine retention, daily headache, all-day-long nausea, weight gain 22#. Despite watching diet and daily swim. Started Latuda. Took 40 mg at dinner (8 pm) for 4 weeks. What a great mood stabilizer for me, but still having periodic days of mania and depression. Increased to 80 mg. Doing great. Within 3 weeks of starting Latuda, lost 20 lbs (almost like my metabolism kicked into overdrive) after being on Seroquel. Side effects: my stomach is super sensitive, so of course nausea. I must take 1 hour after dinner, letting food digest, no alcohol. Otherwise, vomiting within 2 hours after taking. I take RX Haldol 0.5 mg BID and Zofran ODT for breakthrough nausea."

• Emm...
• January 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on this medication since 2014 for my bipolar I disorder! I love it, it has worked wonders for me and hasn't given me any negative symptoms. I did gain weight when I first started taking it, but now my weight has stabilized, and I'm back to where I should be! I actually didn't know weight gain was a side effect until today. I love it and take it every night. It does make me hungry at night, but I ignore that urge. So beware of that. But for me, I would suggest taking it at night because it makes me very tired. It keeps me stable and makes me not float off into the clouds. I know everyone responds differently to medications, but I would definitely give this one a shot! I'm on 80 mg and am going to up my dose because I do have spurts of hypomania every now and then. But that's because I've been on 80 mg for the past three years. In need of a medication adjustment."

• bfl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2019

"I take Latuda (20 mg) in combination with other meds for major depressive disorder. I started it almost 7 months ago. I noticed a lift in my mood within 2 weeks of starting it. Since then, family, friends, and my doctors have noticed that it has changed me for the better. Side effects - weight gain, weight gain, weight gain. Almost 20 pounds, and my clothes don’t fit. It happened quite rapidly. Now I wrestle with poor self-esteem from my body image vs. keeping my own sanity. I’ve also had a little fatigue, but the weight gain has been much worse."