Lurasidone and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• cJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "When I started off, I was on a very low dose of Latuda. And it was horrible. I felt like I just needed to jump out of my skin, and my anxiety was so high I couldn’t even leave my house. And then finally my doctor put me on 120 mg of Latuda, and it has been amazing so far. I’ve gained about 15 pounds, and I feel sluggish 90% of the time. When I talk to my doctor about the dose that I am now on, he mentioned that most psychiatrists feel a low dose would be best for patients, but then they are starting to realize that a higher dose of Latuda is best for the patient. There is no tolerance buildup for this medication. And so I recommend that if you have any issues regarding taking Latuda that you ask your psychiatrist about the dosage. Because for each person, there’s a magic number."

• shr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2022

Lurasidone for Schizophrenia "Akathisia on this drug was so bad I would pace my roommate's house and drove him crazy. Eventually, it started evening off with some anxiety medicine, but I couldn't go back to work due to the high price without insurance. I got off it, but there were times I would be with my friends and simply have to leave due to moving my feet around, needing space to move and stuff. My doctor helped it a little by lowering it and slowly raising it over a few days, but I agree the akathisia may make you want to get off it, it's not always comfortable for every person, I am sure. Just pure pacing circles all day, and when I would take it at night, I felt dysphoria, like a sense of dread that made me cuddle up in a ball. It wasn't too bad on weight gain at the time, which is why I liked it so much, and I will say it was the most effective med I have been on other than Seroquel, which is my current medication. I literally had to leave friends' houses due to the uncomfortableness and canceled plans."

• Bip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 20, 2017

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I had been on Seroquel since 1997 and had gained a lot of weight. I also had the side effects of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., from taking it so long. But Seroquel worked for me. So in an effort to lose weight and the 'bad' side effects, I switched to Latuda. Latuda didn't do squat for me in the sleep department, so I ended up taking a half pill of Seroquel and a dose of Latuda. This worked well for about a year. I lost a ton of weight and my overall health improved. However, I slipped into a major depressive episode in less than a year and had to go back to the 'tried and true' Seroquel. Feeling better, but gained back a lot of weight. Never thought a drug marketed for BP depression would make me depressed."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 29, 2017

Lurasidone for Schizophrenia "First off, I would like to say none of these medications are effective to me, they have never helped me in any considerable way. I was diagnosed as schizophrenic, but for the most part, it was the anxiety controlling my life, never the hallucinations. Every medication on the market, besides two or three, causes an enormous amount of weight gain and intolerable side effects, with no legal recourse if encountered. The pharmaceutical industry has hired many attorneys and lobbyists to destroy all liability in the event of a potential hazardous or death-inducing side effect for the most part. In California, it is impossible to sue a doctor (psychiatrist) who commits malpractice due to the cap on awards. It's all snake oil, but with actual side effects."

• bar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 9, 2022

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have been on Lurasidone for the past twenty months and find it wonderful. It is used in conjunction with my main antipsychotic, which is Paliperidone monthly injection. I chose Lurasidone because of it being weight neutral. With any other antipsychotic, I gained huge weight. For seventeen years, I've battled with other antipsychotic medication and couldn't find the right combination for me. While in the hospital, my doctor recommended Lurasidone to help reduce my weight, and it worked brilliantly. I lost all my excess weight, and my intention was to be solely on Lurasidone, but as my dosage increased from 40 mg to 80 mg, I found myself getting more and more depressed. This caused me to keep the Paliperidone injection and use Lurasidone of 40 mg nightly along with an antidepressant. I'm now very stable with this combination. No more voices in my head, no more hospital admissions. I'm very alert during the daytime and get proper sleep at night. Finally, I'm me again, and I'm healthy and fit."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2021

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "20 mg - It helped take away the high sense of hearing, high sex drive, and daily symptoms. I still would get my manic episodes about twice a month that would last for a week, but it helped otherwise. I noticed an improvement with depression as well. 40 mg - I was suicidal upping to this amount. I had bad akathisia. I had to take 30 mg of propranolol to make it slightly bearable. 60 mg - Major akathisia and suicidal, I had to get off immediately. Since I react to meds and they don’t work easily for me, I was fairly satisfied with the 20 mg. However, not anything higher because the side effects were too much. I also gained about 10 pounds on it."

• Pol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2023

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "Latuda was good until it wasn’t. I was handling a high dosage of 80 mg with hardly any complications. I had gotten used to needing to eat a sandwich after taking it before bed. Apparently, on an empty stomach, less of the drug gets into your bloodstream. Then, after 30 months, I started feeling less steady, and out of nowhere, weight gain started. I easily put on 8 lbs. And it was a weird weight. Usually, when I have had weight gain from meds, it was proportional. This weight gain centered in my belly and thighs. Just gross. I stopped the med cold turkey (which was not good), and in 8 days, lost 3.2 lbs. Trying to settle on another antipsychotic, which is tough, because I have been on others that had worse side effects. Latuda was good while it lasted. It is disappointing that all of a sudden it stopped working."

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

Lurasidone 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."

• gpp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 27, 2022

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 27 y/o, and I have been on Latuda for over 2 years. I have to say Latuda has helped me with getting rid of my suicidal thoughts and my bouts of depression. My mood swings are not as noticeable or erratic as they were before I was prescribed this medication, plus Latuda helps me sleep at night for it makes me sleepy, but I see that as a positive thing. Aside from a little weight gain, Latuda has helped me out a lot, and I am so glad to be on this medication. It is a miracle drug for me!"

• Cap...
• September 15, 2017

Lurasidone for Schizophrenia "Started on 10 mg, increased to 20, then to 40. The blurry vision cleared up for the most part after a few months. Latuda definitely makes me feel better. Not 100%... but better. Having to take it with 350 calories is difficult, especially before bed, and the weight gain was pretty bad, but then I started taking calcium, magnesium, zinc and dropped the weight... weird... but it works. Just need to make sure the magnesium is maleate... others make me too tired."

• ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2023

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I take 60 mg once daily and only had a 10-pound weight gain, although I'm losing the minimal weight gain increase with exercise. However, Latuda is a lifesaver and weight neutral, and I also take Cymbalta and Strattera 60 mg. Latuda is helping my bipolar depression, and the voices are no more."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2023

Lurasidone "I have been taking Latuda 20 mg for six months. In that time, I've gained 40 pounds, been bedridden for a cumulative 8 weeks with muscle spasms, pulled 4 muscles, and had 2 migraines with aura. They gave me propranolol, but I'm not taking that. It also interacts with every single muscle relaxer and cough medicine too."

• Lit...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2018

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "Was on Seroquel for bipolar I disorder, but it was causing too much weight gain and high blood sugar levels, so my pdoc put me on Latuda 40 mg. Now my blood sugar levels are through the roof! Also, my pdoc says my kidneys aren't functioning well, so I have to go for more tests. The fatigue from the Latuda is unbearable, and it is very difficult now to get any housework done. It's as if I don't care about anything anymore. I gave the Latuda three stars as at least it seems to be controlling hypomania, which has been my main trouble with bipolar disorder. I have tried many different antipsychotics, and they all seem to increase blood sugar levels and weight gain - e.g., 30 lbs per year! At first, the Latuda was causing uncontrollable tongue movements (tardive dyskinesia), so my pdoc said she'd like to try propranolol (high blood pressure drug). I said no to that as I didn't want to just mask the TD!"

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2018

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I know it is supposed to be a weight-neutral drug, but that was not the case for me. I couldn't stop eating, even in the middle of the night, and rapidly put on 10 pounds in a month. I also had problems with restless legs and insomnia. It just wasn't the drug for me. I've stopped and switched to another med, and my appetite has already decreased after just a week."

• Pea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2021

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar and have had multiple manic episodes. My previous medication made me a zombie, I don't remember the name at the moment. The combination of Latuda and fluoxetine has really helped me. I am happier and don't worry about becoming manic. You do have to take it with food, or it will not work for you. It has to be at least 350 calories, not just a cracker, or it won't work, you only get half the dose. I made that mistake at first. I haven't noticed much side effects other than weight gain, which could be from the fluoxetine as well. I also have had some bladder issues, but that could be from the other medication also. Overall, I would take these minor side effects over some of the major side effects I've had with past medications. I am able to actually work full-time in customer service. Before, I was a zombie and lived like I was under water. This medication has really helped me, hopefully, it'll have the same effect for you."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Latuda/Lurasidone takes away my psychosis, and the only side effect I’ve had is trouble losing weight. I haven’t gained, but losing it is hard. It is comparable to Risperdal and has improved my mental health and saved my life. I have no side effects, and I am on 20 mg. I love it."

• KTB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 18, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Unlike most patients on here, I was prescribed Latuda for Major Depressive Disorder (that is, unipolar depression). It helped tremendously and quickly at the outset, but the weight gain and bad cholesterol became intolerable for me. I gained 30 pounds over 2 years. I also believe I experienced poop-out anyway, so I’m not feeling much differently from when I completed my titration off the drug 10 days ago. It’s a shame, it was one of the many meds I’ve tried that actually worked for a spell. No other side effects, except occasional fatigue."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Latuda has made me very weird. Demand for more intimacy, restlessness, and tardive dyskinesia for my side effects. I also gained weight. I have to fall asleep 1 hour after taking the medicine or else I will have twitchy movements I can't control."

• tlb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar I disorder in 2008, aged 20. I have tried the vast majority of antipsychotics and generally don't tolerate them well. Weight gain and impaired memory and cognition were my main issues with the other antipsychotics. I've been on Latuda for 3 years now, first on 40 mg then on 80 mg, without any weight gain and no manic episodes, which is great. However, its antidepressant efficacy is limited, and I suffer depressive episodes when not on Lexapro. The slightly sedating effect of antipsychotics is still there, but it's mild, and it doesn't seem to impair my memory or cognition. It's an inconvenience to have to consume it with a meal, but that's no huge issue. I haven't experienced any adverse effects, although if I forget a dose I feel awful, restless, and angry, so I do think it has the potential to cause withdrawal effects. Overall, my functioning is much better than it was on Lithium. I am happy with Latuda even though it isn't perfect."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Was giving this drug to control emotions that were suppressed for 20 years of abuse and trafficking. The first 2 weeks were great. More positive emotions, panic attacks were low, then I had a PTSD trigger, and it's like the medication did the opposite of what it was supposed to do. My moods became more depressed, erratic. No positive outlook, not at a point of suicidal but close. I was sleeping constantly when taking this drug as well. Went from taking 40 mg and feeling paralyzed in my own body to taking 20 mg and feeling somewhat like a human being. I am also taking Ambien 7.5 mg. They took me off Latuda earlier this week and placed me on Xanax 0.5 mg, and I can already tell a difference: more positive and upbeat, also gained 20 lbs in 2 months on it."

• Bip...
• April 26, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I wanted so badly for this medicine to work, but it has not controlled my hypomanic anxiety or insomnia at all. And it made my depersonalization, concentration, and irritability worse. And now, as a side effect, I'm having short-term memory issues. The only reason that Latuda has a 2 instead of a 1 is because I haven't gained any weight or had any other typical antipsychotic side effects."

• Ski...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2024

Lurasidone for Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar and have struggled with distressing visions and hallucinations. This is when Latuda was prescribed to me to get rid of these visions entirely. I was on 20 mg one month and 40 mg the second month before I stopped. I personally do not work well with this med. It provided a bit of relief from hallucinations for me, but it came with loads of side effects. I had my thoughts going a mile a minute, a screwed-up sleep schedule, and no motivation to do anything. Loaded up on calories and had an unwanted knack for junk food too. All of these awful side effects, just for something that didn't do enough. I had to switch, and I'm glad I did. Hopefully, a different antipsychotic will work better."

• But...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Latuda for a little over four years. It has helped my mania but did nothing for the depression. I now have tardive dyskinesia and am going to stop taking it. I was put on a very high dose (120 mg), this angers me that they didn't lower it after my mania subsided. It caused me to gain 50 pounds and I have obstructive sleep apnea now because of it. I just hope the tardive dyskinesia, which became apparent when it was lowered to 80 mg, will not be permanent. I have been on about 6 or so different antipsychotics and they all made me exhausted. I'm so tired of being sedated, it's like I have no reason to live. This all started with involuntary commitment. I get up, sit on the couch, eat, go to bed, repeat. These drugs have ruined my life. I'm going to try natural therapies this time. The only problem with that is I eventually relapse and end up in the hospital with psychosis. Just tired of the whole mental health scam. Let me be me."

• Sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm one of those unlucky people that doesn't really respond to antidepressants, so I need an antipsychotic to stabilize my mood. I was on Seroquel for many years but switched after the negative effects on my memory and concentration, which ended up being not so subtle; weight gain and oversleeping came a little while after as well, so I found it was time to switch. This is my best try so far after Seroquel, but that's not saying much. Having to take this with food and needing to go to sleep pretty much right after or else getting lost in a paranoid/anxious frenzy/limbo-type state is really quite challenging. I also get tired pretty early, which I believe is due to the half-life of the medication (18 hours or so)."

• PAM...
• September 24, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was hesitant to try this drug because of the side effects, mainly weight gain. I've been on it for 3 months and am taking 60 mg. I take it at night because it makes me sleepy. I've also put on a little weight but not much. The best part is my anxiety is gone. With my insurance, I was paying $125 a month, so I went to a website looking for a saving card, and I found it. I now pay $15 a month. Huge difference!"