Med Review: Latuda (Lurasidone)

Hello PCers,

Here is my review and experience with Latuda.

Overall: 3.5 out of 4 stars

Pros: Helped me w BP Depression and Brain Fog; Low Long Term Side Effects

Cons: Cost; Helluva Titration/Initial Onset Side Effects; Limited Pharmacy Availability

Background: I am Bipolar 2 with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I lean to the more often depressed than hypomanic side of our world. Other AAPs that I have tried: Abilify, Risperdol, Seroquel. After about a year on Abilify 10mg w Prozac and Lamictal, I was still suffering some depression and brain fog, finding concentration difficult and struggling with focus at work. I have a very detailed technical type job.

Last Spring (April, 2014)I checked with my pdoc about Latuda. His initial response was "It's worth trying" as he has had success with it in other patients. His initial concern was cost, but I was already coming out of pocket some for the Abilify, which had just had a price increase, so I was not worried too much about it. He started me off on 20mg w some samples and after a week an increase to 40mg while tapering the Abilify. At first I did not start the Lautda as directed. I wanted to see what my brain would be like without the Abilify. I emailed him about this strategy, and he was very concerned and advised me to start the Latuda immediately as he did not want me off of AAPs for any period of time. Rarely do I deviate from full compliance, but I was really tired of the Brain Fog. He set me straight.

It was the middle of my annual bout with seasonal allergies to pollen, which is very strong in the south for a few weeks. Benadryl is the most effective OTC for it, sometimes Zyrtec - less drowsiness but not as effective. So I was a bit sleepy from the OCT allergy meds, during the start of Latuda.

The Latuda was the hardest AAP to titrate and start of any med I've ever tried. I had crazy restless legs at night and akathisia/pacing in the daytime. It felt like I needed to shiver or was on the edge of a shiver, but unable to quite shake it out for relief. I was very close to throwing in the towel after a couple of weeks of this, but I hung in there on my pdoc's advice that it would get better. I found that blood sugar and protein boosting was somewhat effective for relief. I would go to the fridge at midnight and scarf some turkey and chocolate milk. After about 5 weeks of this, it settled in and these effects went away.

Since starting Lautda, my brain fog and depression have lifted and my thoughts are as clear as they have ever been since my last hospitalization (Sept 2012) and I am balanced and focused better than ever. I know have very minimal side effects. I take the 40mg at night about an hour before bedtime after a meal, and I don't really notice any effect at administration. Just overall much relief from intrusive negative thoughts like other AAPs without too much clouding. Abilify and Risperdol were not terrible, but Latuda has been the ticket for me.

As far as cost goes, this is the real adventure. My insurance, a national strong PPO plan, has a 40% copay for non-preferred Rx. After shopping around for the lowest price - Wal-Mart was the winner at about $29 a pill. This puts my out of pocket for a month of 40mgs at around $280. I also found a $75 discount coupon on the Latuda website that stacked with your insurance. Taking me to $211 for a month. Still pretty pricey. I did some more research, and the 80mg tabs are only $1 more each - crazy. Anyway, I explained all this to my pdoc, who is a saint, and he agreed to write me 80mg w a daily 1/2 to 1 instruction. This brings my cost down to $211 for a 60 day supply instead of a 30 day supply. Which is doable.

I have shopped around online, and I could order from Canada for about $6 a pill, but they do not take insurance. I am also not so keen on screwing around with med quality, so I avoid it. I also have to order a few days ahead from Wal-Mart as they don't regularly stock Latuda 80mgs, since I suspect they don't want to have $900 bottles of meds just laying around in inventory. One time I was close to running out that they called around and found some on hand at another location about 20 minutes away. In general, I was worried about bad service from Wal-Mart pharmacy, but one of their techs is super super nice to me.

Ok PCers, this is my first review. I'll do more later. Thanks and PM/Reply if you need more information about my experience with Latuda. More than giving advice, I like to share experiences. If you choose to try Latuda, your results will vary. Thanks,

moogs

Silly me. I forgot everyone's favorite concern about AAPs, weight gain. In 7 months on Latuda, I have gained about 10 pounds. Which for me is good. I tend to drop weight bad when I am not properly medicated. Also, the joy of having a good appetite and enjoying food, especially during the holidays has been amazing. Once winter breaks, I'll get back into running and level off, methinks. Other AAPs also added a lil weight as well. Hope this helps!

moogs

I'm about to titrate off Abilify onto Latuda and have found your review very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

Oooh! Best of Luck! Thanks for reading and responding to my review. Makes me feel welcomed.

moogs

Thanks for this. I was on 200mg lamicatal and 40 mg latuda for about the same time and noticed no side effects until just recently when I was boosted up to 60mg . Now I have left eye twitching. I'm hoping it will go away. Are you still on your 40mg dose?

I jsjt started latuda this evening while tapering lamictal. I have had the weirdest side effect all the sudden from lamictal: ear ringing - like locust out in a field. Now I from Kansas but this is insane!! That is the need for a change.
Your review was amazing and I have a good attitude about switching now. I hate change (really?) and am fighting going off meds anyway. I am on vyvanse for Binge eating disorder, so I hope latuda doesn't cause too much weight issues.

I'm new to Psychcentral and signed up largely because of Latuda.

A little background: Bipolar II with emphasis on the depressive and anxious side. Adderall and Vyvanse help my mood but can't release me from that sinking feeling that envelops a depressive's consciousness.

I'm happily married but just beginning retirement. The isolation is already getting to me. Up to the beginning of June (2015) I'd been on the down escalator and my anxiety was getting out of hand.

A month ago my long-time psychopharmacologist started me on Latuda 20 mg. Within hours of taking the first one I could feel the depression lifting. (Over decades of depression this has never happened.) My mood bounced around over the first week, and then it settled down to a hugely gratifying non-depressive state. I'm currently taking 40 mg after dinner.

Interesting, Moogieotter, about your allergy symptoms. I don't know if it's coincidence, but as soon as I began Latuda I broked out in hives! I've never had them before. Also, I've got a chest wheeze. And I'm a cyclist! I'm taking antihistamines and the symptoms are in decline. I've read that Latuda can bring these symptoms on, so don't necessarily assume it's just your seasonal allergies.

Though I'm still feeling much better, anxiety is nibbling at the corners of my consciousness. That's why I have decided to become a member here and see how other people cope with depression and anxiety. I'm rather desperately hoping the Latuda continues to work, because I've tried everything else and never run across a med that can ease my BPII depression until this one came along.

Looking forward to reading about other people's experiences with Latuda, and other depression/anxiety treatments for BPII.

Thanks, Moogs!!!

I take 20mg in and 40mg at bedtime. My biggest side effect is im SO thirsty
All the time and a little sedated. Overall though, it's really helped me!

I've been on Latuda since June. I'm at 40mg and I like this. Both my pdoc and regular doc noticed my mood improving. It did increase my cholesterol and blood sugar, but that's rare. I'm on diabetes medication (Metformin) to help with the blood sugar, and a statin (Lipitor) for the cholesterol. The Metformin is also decreasing my appetite, so I hope to lose some weight. I've gained weight on so many meds.

I want to go back on metformin

I have to take Cogentin with my Latuda.

I'm grateful my Pdoc offers it with Latuda and with all AP and AAP, better to have it on hand and not need it ....than need it which always seems to be on a weekend !

Moogs ... Your the best giving great information and personal experience!!!!

Thank you

I'd thought about such somewhat-structured "med review" threads as well. Interesting! Great.

Maybe at least add "Med Review" to all such threads so it's easier to find old reviews/comments and add new ones to the same thread. No need to repeat ourselves and it's easier to read everyone's opinion/experiences (quickly).

Thanks everyone. It was one of my first posts from 2014!

This has been a wonder drug for me too. Took away strong suicidal ideation. I have tried going off and it puts me right back in the same boat I was in before I took it.

Thanks for the review. My doc might add Latuda if my medication increases do not stabilize my mood. However, insurance doesn't cover. She does not yet have samples, although she said she'll try to fight with the insurance co. for me to try it (possibly)....

I am wondering, has anyone here tried both Latuda and Abilify? The reason I ask is that Abilify did not work for me and made me restless. It seems people are reporting restlessness with Latuda too. I know they are both Atypicals, but do both medications feel similar in your experience? What are the comparisons?

DM me in a couple weeks if you can remember and I'll let you know. I'm currently coming off Abilify and adding Latuda. Pdoc says it will be a week or two before I get full effect.

I had no side effects from Latuda or Abilify. Right now I take Abilify PRN for agitation/psychosis and it works really well. I take it rarely so perhaps that is why I don't have the side-effects you had. Latuda I was taking up to 120mg a day for 4 months. It did nothing so I stopped it.