latuda - your experience

I'm on 50 mg of zoloft (monotherapy) and I don't think it's working (up and down every couple of days). I'm leaving on a month-long backcountry backpacking trip in 2 weeks (which I am currently very un-excited about) and am wondering if it is worth trying Latuda before then (as per my psychiatrist's suggestion).

As always, I'm really scared of the side effects - especially nausea (I have emetophobia) and anything heart-related (I read latuda can cause QT prolongation). Just wondering, for those who have taken it...

1. how soon did it start working?
2. what side effects did you experience/for how long?
3. did you stop? did you have withdrawal?

Thanks!

I was on it from November to May (until it pooped out on my hallucinations) it was had to say how long it started to work on my depression though as at the time I started I was also just starting on an antidepressant. But when it did kick in it worked on my depression especially after I stopped the antidepressant. When I stopped Latuda I was also starting Abilify so idk if I experienced any withdrawal from Latuda. And the only major side effect I really experienced was nausea and vomiting if I didn't take it with at least 350 calories.
Hope this helps you a little with your decision on Latuda.

I tried it 3 times. I got bad akathasia from it had to stop it. Didn't experience any withdrawal that I noticed but was put on another ap right away. But it works for a lot of ppl...

I've been on it twice. The first time it didn't work because I was deep in my anorexia so I didn't eat enough with it when I took it and I ended up throwing it up.

The second time was from last May to this March (? around there). It worked really well. I made sure I ate enough before taking it so I wouldn't get nauseous or throw it up (it says you're supposed to take it with 350 calories for it to work, but I found that even just a yogurt was enough). I had no side effects other than the nausea when I took it without food. I too have emetophobia, so I understand that completely. So just take it with lots of food and you should be all set! When I went on it I stopped cold turkey and went straight to Zyprexa. No side effects from doing that.

1. how soon did it start working? I don't remember because I started taking it a few years ago, I think. My memory isn't that great. But I'm pretty sure it started working quickly like any other AP. I do remember how amazed I was at how well the Latuda helped my anxiety when I first started taking it. It was my miracle drug!
2. what side effects did you experience/for how long? I had bad akathisia and some nausea but ONLY a hour or two after taking the medication. So I took it RIGHT before bed so I wouldn't experience the side-effects. I also couldn't even have ONE glass of wine while on it because it would screw up my mood the next day. It was such an amazingly effective medication for me, eating a big snack and taking my medication right before bed and giving up alcohol was totally worth it.
3. did you stop? did you have withdrawal? I am currently weaning off it because my insurance isn't covering it now and I also think it stopped working after taking it a few years. I am now weaned down to 30 mg a day (from 120) and I don't know if what I've experienced is withdrawal or just my gastritis and acid reflux flaring up or starting Abilify. I can say I am very stable mentally thanks to the Abilify combined with Risperdal. Those two meds seem to help with my stability the most right now. (Btw, I'm going to be seeing my gastroenterologist about my stomach issues. I've had these issues for quite some time now, especially after getting my gallbladder out last year, so I don't think they are med-related.)

Hope that helps!

I found Latuda worked for depression within 7-10 days and better at 14 days.
quite a bit better at 21 days. My depression has been treatment-resistant otherwise.

I was in a prolonged mixed episode and as depression cleared, was left with hypomania, which is clearing up by slightly increasing Depakote.

Nausea only if took med without food, adequate calories. The calories give max absorption of Latuda, which should allow for a lesser dose. The food intake also happens to help with nausea.

literature states there is no proven efficacy above 60 mg. per day.

I am much more active, have more energy every day.

Latuda is on the list for QT prolongation. It is listed as one of the drugs with a lesser QT prolongation effect, yet has prolongation nonetheless. I also watch for drugs with QT prolongation, even though I am without heart disease. I, personally, decided to try Latuda, after reviewing its entire profile.

If you are out hiking, watch your hydration and electrolyte status. Stay as cool as possible. review all literature (professional) to be sure you understand all risks and precautions, especially heat exposure and heart-related info if this is a concern for you. Monitor your heart rate and symptoms if you try the med, esp in the heat.

Ask lots of questions of your pdoc and pharmacist.

I hope you enjoy your vacation!


WC

i too am very concerned anout the weight gain, the tiredness, and the qt prolongnation it can cause. i am going to ask my pharmacist to go down.

When I first took Latuda about 7 weeks ago I was in a severe mixed state. It did not do anything for me that I noticed. It was another med that I started 4 weeks later that swiftly pulled me out of the mixed state yet I stay on Latuda as my pdoc believes it may have been helpful in pulling me out of the depression. Idk. I will see how I feel in time and go off it if I remain stable. That will be the true test.

The only side effect I have is that I need to take it with food (an apple will do) or I will get very nauseas. Otherwise it is brilliant as I don't feel drowsy, have tremors, no heart issues or anything else. I take it in the mornings and used to be on 120mg and just reduced it to 80mg last week with no change in mood or withdrawals.

I really hope you find the right med (or no med) to help with your mood. Good luck with your trip!

I've been taking it for about a week. I take it after breakfast and I don't seem to have any problems from it. I get prolonged QT from some APs but I had an EKG recently and it was fine with this med. I'm taking 60 mg and it's been working well with the AD I'm on. Hope your trip goes smoothly.

I've been on it for a few months at 120 and it's the only ap I've ever taken that I haven't experienced tremors from. I developed a twitch in my right eye but idk if it's from Latuda.
I usually take it without food and haven't experienced nausea from it like everyone else.

Sent from my SM-J700T using Tapatalk

I love it!

thank you everyone!! this is all very helpful

Hello from a fellow emetophobic.

I'm currently on Latuda and it took weeks to notice a difference.

I've not experienced any nausea from it but I make sure to eat before I take it just in case.

Side effects for me are very minimal compared to some of the other meds I've tried.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

2 years on Latuda, was 40 recently dropped to 20. Loves it! It's delicious!

I recently started taking Latuda maybe one month ago while already in a mixed state. It didn't pull me out of mixed but I guess it worked for my depression. Took a few weeks.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk