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Can you stop taking Latuda immediately?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on July 15, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Talk to your doctor before stopping Latuda (generic name: lurasidone) or changing your dose, even if you are feeling better. If you stop taking Latuda, your symptoms can worsen or you may suffer from unwanted side effects. Always take Latuda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you are having serious side effects due to Latuda, call your doctor or get emergency help right away.

The American Psychiatric Association recommends that all antipsychotic medications be slowly stopped to avoid withdrawal symptoms and to lower the risk for a return of your symptoms. Your doctor can determine if you need to stop treatment, adjust your dose, or change to a new medication.

Withdrawal symptoms from abruptly stopping antipsychotic treatment such as Latuda may include:

In addition, do not start or stop any other medicines during treatment with Latuda without talking to your health care provider first.

You should not take Latuda if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or take certain medicines called CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Ask your health care provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medications before you are prescribed Latuda, and each time you get a new prescription.

Related questions

Why is Latuda used?

Latuda is approved by the FDA for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients aged 13 to 17 years with schizophrenia.

Latuda is also approved for the treatment of bipolar depression (major depressive episode associated with bipolar I disorder) as a single treatment (called "monotherapy") in adults and children 10 to 17 years of age.

Latuda can also be used in combination with lithium or valproate for the treatment of bipolar depression in adults.

Bottom Line

This is not all the information you need to know about Latuda for safe and effective use. Review the full Latuda prescribing information here, and discuss this information with your doctor or other health care provider.

References
  • Lehman AF, Lieberman JA, Dixon LB, et al. American Psychiatric Association, Steering Committee on Practice Guidelines. Practice guidelines for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, second edition. Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161(2 suppl):1-56. PMID: 15000267
  • Lambert TJ. Switching antipsychotic therapy: what to expect and clinical strategies for improving therapeutic outcomes. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68(suppl 6):10-13.
  • Latuda (lurasidone) [prescribing information]. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. December 2019. Accessed July 23, 2020 at https://www.latuda.com/LatudaPrescribingInformation.pdf
  • Things to know when taking Latuda. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Accessed July 23, 2020 at https://www.sunovionprofile.com/content/dam/sunovionprofile/pdf/things-to-know-about-latuda.pdf;

Read next

Does Latuda cause weight gain?

Latuda has a low risk for weight gain in adults and children with schizophrenia or bipolar depression, but this can vary in individual patients. In general, Latuda caused minimal weight gain either in the short-term or the longer-term studies conducted by the manufacturer. Continue reading

Can Latuda be cut in half or split?

Latuda should NOT be cut in half or split, according to the manufacturer. It comes in various strengths to allow your doctor to prescribe the correct dose. Continue reading

Is Latuda a controlled substance?

No, Latuda (an atypical antipsychotic) is not classified as a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). None of the atypical antipsychotics in the U.S. are classified as a controlled substance. Continue reading

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