Lurasidone and Restlessness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• may...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I was misdiagnosed with bipolar when I took Latuda. I couldn't stay on it for more than a few months. I became very suicidal, and it didn't help my mood at all. Taking it with food was bothersome. I experienced akathisia every time I took it. Within an hour, I'd feel sickly and uncomfortable, couldn't sit still, and I was irritable. This happened every time I took it. My doctor prescribed another medicine for it, but it didn't help at all. I felt like my bones were itching inside of my skin. This was what made me quit taking meds for years."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Latuda for my recently diagnosed bipolar II. I started on 20 mg, and it was great for my mood. It did have a strange side effect of making me incredibly anxious to go to bed. I physically had to go to sleep at the same time every day, or I would be jittery, irritable, and anxious the whole time I stayed up. My doctor thought going up in dosage could reduce this and help my mood more, but it just made the akathisia worse, leaving me with shaky hands and a clenching jaw as well. I wish this drug didn't have the physical side effects because, during the day, I felt great!"

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I took this ONCE in August 2016 for constant bipolar manic episodes where I was constantly angry. I was 19 at the time. When I first took it, I thought nothing of it, but 2 hours later I felt so restless and anxious that it was BEYOND unbearable! I wanted to sleep, but I had too much energy. I looked like I was tweaking when I went to the store that day. I kept fidgeting, rocking back and forth, talking excessively, jumping into a panic, hyperventilating, pacing, swinging my legs up, squirming, etc. When I got home, I took an Ativan, and that calmed everything down, but not 100%. My psychiatrist discontinued Latuda and prescribed me something else. That was sooooo terrifying, even seven years later, I still feel it when thinking about it."

• Ale...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication Latuda has done wonders for my bipolar disorder. It took about a month before I noticed the effects, but I have been stable for over two years now. The only issue I have is a bit of akathisia."

• kou...
• July 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "After battling insurance to finally cover this med, I can't say the improvements in depression are worth the $1,000 price tag. After trying numerous medications for over 17 years to help with depression, I was really hoping for more. I would say that as an add-on to Prozac, it is only somewhat effective. At first, I was pleased by the lack of noticeable side effects compared to other antipsychotics. It didn't make me groggy during the day, nor did I experience any muscle twitches. However, at about the third month on 20 mg, I began getting severe akathisia shortly after ingesting. It manifested with inner restlessness (not normal for me), anxiety, and the inability to stop moving. For me, this has gotten so unpleasant that I've decided to stop it."

• kou...
• July 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "After battling insurance to finally cover this med, I can't say the improvements in depression are worth the $1,000 price tag. After trying numerous medications for over 17 years to help with depression, I was really hoping for more. I would say that as an add-on to Prozac, it is only somewhat effective. At first, I was pleased by the lack of noticeable side effects compared to other antipsychotics. It didn't make me groggy during the day, nor did I experience any muscle twitches. However, at about the third month on 20 mg, I began getting severe akathisia shortly after ingesting. It manifested with inner restlessness (not normal for me), anxiety, and the inability to stop moving. For me, this has gotten so unpleasant that I've decided to stop it."

• 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!"

• Uge...
• April 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Latuda for around a year and a half. The problem with this medicine is the akathisia. I started with 20 mg, I was prescribed Cogentin, it helps. I seem to be good with the 20 mg of Latuda. I don't want to stop this medication, it works well for me. I can't increase my med because of the akathisia, there are other medicines out there. I hope this helps others."

• Red...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 3.5 years ago. Initially, I took Lamictal and Saphris for one year. Saphris made me too drowsy too often, so now I take Lamictal and Latuda (60 mg). I recommend taking Latuda at night with food. If I take it in the morning or during the day, I get very restless and can't sit still or focus on anything. I have no problems if I take it right before bed with a snack."

• 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."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Latuda for a little over a year now. It's been extremely helpful for both mania and depression. I had psychotic mixed episodes, which Lithium did not help. On Latuda, I feel stable and like myself. However, I have 'mild' akathisia, meaning I don't twitch, but I feel horrible if I take it during the day. I take it at night before bed with Lorazepam as needed (I am probably going to switch to a more regular sleep med soon), and that pretty much solved the problem. The only issue is that it is expensive, but thankfully I have insurance that covers it after my deductible."

• 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."

• Jan...
• May 2, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I take several meds for my mood disorder. It is difficult to truly evaluate the medication fully, but also I just started it one week ago. I am taking Latuda 40 mg and I plan to ask the doctor to adjust it to 80 mg. Some people experience restlessness, which can be controlled with a sedative or Cogentin. I am still tapering off of Zyprexa, and I am noticing some moodiness, but I also take Adderall, which helps me concentrate and stay focused around people, which is my biggest fear. I hope it works out for me as it does for others too."

• A1a...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have only just started Latuda for Bipolar I, it's been 4 days. I was previously on Abilify for 1 month, and the side effects were horrible for me. I was restless, had blurred vision, was depressed, headaches, etc., from day 1. My psychiatrist switched me from the Abilify to Latuda 40 mg, and I feel really good so far. I have no side effects at all except mild sleepiness, and I feel very consistent within myself. I would give it 10/10, but as I said, it's only been 4 days, so I don't want to get my hopes up. But so far, so good! I still feel a little down sometimes, but have none of the side effects I did with Abilify, so I'm hoping with time I will have even more improvement. I'm so thankful, as I couldn't survive another day on Abilify. Latuda seems to be what works for me. I hope you all find what works for you!"

• 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!"

• Hap...
• June 26, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on it for two months. Didn't notice a difference for three weeks after taking it. Started sleeping through the night with vivid dreams, but my dreams are always vivid. Depression got bad, but seems to be letting up. My doctor wants me to take it in the morning, but I sleep most of the day and feel like crap till the afternoon. Plus, the restlessness during the day is miserable. On 40mg now and going to start taking it at night. I can take it on an empty stomach with no problems. We'll see what happens. Was seriously thinking of stopping it, but reading these reviews really helped. That I wasn't the only one with some of these issues. I thank you all!! One last thing: I'm Bipolar II mixed manic, and people have noticed that I'm calmer."

• psy...
• February 12, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Latuda about a month ago. It's hard to know if it is truly working because I am trying to come off of 300 mg of Seroquel. Whoever wrote Latuda made them restless, this happened to me too, so my doctor gave me Cogentin, and it worked. I'm still hungry all the time, but once I'm off Seroquel, I shouldn't be. I also take Vyvanse, Lorazepam, Restoril, and Keppra, which is for my seizure disorder. I say Latuda is an 8 so far, my paranoia is gone."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "If I could give Latuda a 0 rating, I definitely would. The akathisia was terrible, to the point that I would cry all night and every night because I couldn’t fall asleep. I was restless yet drowsy. I would watch the clock constantly all day every day because one minute would feel like 4 hours to me. Doing ANYTHING was torture, yet NOT doing anything was also torture. Doctor switched me back to Seroquel XR, and I am back to my old self, thank goodness."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "If I could give Latuda a 0 rating, I definitely would. The akathisia was terrible, to the point that I would cry all night and every night because I couldn’t fall asleep. I was restless yet drowsy. I would watch the clock constantly all day every day because one minute would feel like 4 hours to me. Doing ANYTHING was torture, yet NOT doing anything was also torture. Doctor switched me back to Seroquel XR, and I am back to my old self, thank goodness."

• Sha...
• May 20, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "After taking it for a week, I felt awesome! My mood improved tremendously! Then, at about two weeks, my muscles in my hands stiffened up, and they were very restless. It was a horrible feeling, so I stopped taking it."

• Tra...
• July 18, 2015

For Schizophrenia "So far, the med has me feeling terrible akathisia when I take it at night. I'm switching from risperidone 2 mg to Latuda 80 mg, and I dread taking the pill at night because I know I'll feel like I'm jumping out of my skin."

• 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."