Ever try Latuda?

CarriB · Dec 15, 2016, 08:05 PM

I'm hoping this is "my" drug and that this turmoil will be over soon. How did it work for you and how long did it take to work? What did you take it with? I have more depression than hypo but my hypos make me angry and irritable. Just cutting Abilify in half has done wonders for my depression but my pdoc thinks a mood stabilizer will be key.

~Christina · Dec 15, 2016, 09:08 PM

Latuda is a AP , anti psychotic. It's not a mood stabilizer, yes AP's can help many with bipolar.

Are you already taking a mood stabilizer? Lamictal, lithium etc ?

I'm taking Latuda and it really has helped pull me out of a bad place, just remember to eat with it. I go about 300-350 calories with it. It's much more effective that way.

Good luck , hope it offers you relief .

CarriB · Dec 15, 2016, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Latuda is a AP , anti psychotic. It's not a mood stabilizer, yes AP's can help many with bipolar.

Are you already taking a mood stabilizer? Lamictal, lithium etc ?

I'm taking Latuda and it really has helped pull me out of a bad place, just remember to eat with it. I go about 300-350 calories with it. It's much more effective that way.

Good luck , hope it offers you relief .

Oh wow I thought it was a mood stablizer! If it doesn't work we are going with lamictal, I think. I see her tomorrow. I'm also taking 50mg of Luvox and a small dose of Abilify.

~Christina · Dec 15, 2016, 10:26 PM

Lamictal is a good drug for many...myself included, it's typically a background drug to help with the depressive side of Bipolar, it's a seizure med that also works with BP. It's not a huge help right away because it is a slow titration, to reduce the chance of " SJS" which can be very scary . Less than 4% of people have had the rash, that is why you move up slowly 25 mg at a time, usually it's 25 for 2 weeks then step up next to 50 etc etc

The one thing most people don't know is if you miss 3 days you have to start all over, total pain in the asss.

Most people do well with a mood stabilizer like Lamictal and a AP,

CarriB · Dec 15, 2016, 10:40 PM

Makes sense. My dr wanted something that would work right away, hence the Latuda. And my insurance covers it. I see her tomorrow... this med switch has been done via phone and emails. I haven't seen her since the switch.

st0psign · Dec 15, 2016, 10:41 PM

I worked my way up to the max dose of 120mg, and in that time I sank into a depression where the only way it could've gotten worse would've been the self mutilation turning into an actual suicide.

CarriB · Dec 15, 2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st0psign

I worked my way up to the max dose of 120mg, and in that time I sank into a depression where the only way it could've gotten worse would've been the self mutilation turning into an actual suicide.

I'm only on 10 right now. I move up to 20 next week.

Moose72 · Dec 15, 2016, 10:57 PM

I was given it in the hospital but I can't remember why I didn't stick with it.

duckrabbit · Dec 16, 2016, 03:07 AM

I took it for a few months. Started at 20 mg, and after 3 days I felt noticeably better. The first two nights taking it I had terrible, fragmented sleep, but after a few days it actually evened out my sleep to about 8 hours a night (I was sleeping around 12). My pdoc wanted me on at least 80 mg, so I was titrating up every few weeks. At 40 mg, my anxiety started getting worse and I was pretty fatigued for the first part of the day. At 60 mg I got akathisia and nothing helped it, so went back to 40 (I could handle increased anxiety but the akathisia was terrible). Stayed there for awhile, but I felt like I was being stabilized at a very mild depression. Cloudiness, fatigue, general apathy. If 20 mg would have gotten rid of the lingering psychotic symptoms it would have been great for me. Overall, I think Latuda was one of the few things that actually made me feel better for awhile.

Wander · Dec 16, 2016, 03:35 AM

Latuda never worked for me at doses up to 120mg. The depression was just as bad and I felt no improvement in any way. Guess it is different for everyone.

Dec 16, 2016, 07:08 AM

I developed a very bad rash while on Latuda and Risperdal and so it's in my chart as an allergy. I don't remember it being helpful but I do remember being hopeful it would be. It's a life saver for many so good luck! (((Hugs)))

Dec 16, 2016, 07:12 AM

Eh... it barely worked for me. I was on 40mg and found it too sedating. I needed to be on a higher dose for it to be effective, but when I tried 60mg, I slept 12 hrs a day. So all in all, it didn't really work for me. But everyone is different. Good luck with it!

Wild Coyote · Dec 16, 2016, 08:21 AM

Latuda has been very helpful to me. I have had a good response at just 40mg. most of this year. I have recently needed to increase the dose to 60 mg. due to increased depression.

I take low-dose Depakote, Wellbutrin SR, citalopram and clonazepam with it.

Sometimes people start on Latuda and find out they cannot afford the co-pays, which is a huge letdown. I hope you can afford Latuda therapy.

WC

Moogieotter · Dec 16, 2016, 08:55 AM

Hi CarriB,

I started Latuda 40 mg in late Spring 2014, a change from Abilify 10 mg to help better with depression. I have found stability for more than 2 years now with help from this drug. I will tell you that the first 4-5 weeks on Latuda were rough with lots of Akaithesia in the legs. I found that taking it right after dinner is best for me.

I did a review on it a couple of years ago I can dig up if you like.

moogs

zijax · Dec 16, 2016, 09:04 AM

It was ok for me at small doses, larger doses gave me the telltale latuda, "ants in your pants syndrome"

hopeless2015 · Dec 16, 2016, 09:07 AM

I'm on 120 mg...I'm still dealing with depression off and on, but it does knock me out at night, so I get good sleep

Shazerac · Dec 16, 2016, 09:58 AM

I tried Latuda and seemed to help with depression. I was on samples though. When I found out that it was going to cost $1,000 per month out of pocket it was no longer an option.

CarriB · Dec 16, 2016, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazerac

I tried Latuda and seemed to help with depression. I was on samples though. When I found out that it was going to cost $1,000 per month out of pocket it was no longer an option.

WOW. My insurance covers it so it's $25 per month.

Moogieotter · Dec 16, 2016, 01:33 PM

http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...urasidone.html

Unrigged64072835 · Dec 16, 2016, 05:01 PM

I've been on it since June and it's been really good. I take 40 mg daily. The only thing that it do (and this is just me, and it's rare) is that it pushed my cholesterol and blood sugar up. That has happened to me on other APs as well. However, both my pdoc and regular doc don't want to change it since it has improved, and my regular doc is treating me for the side effects.

scatterbrained04 · Dec 16, 2016, 05:16 PM

Latuda has been a good med for me. I only take 20mg, but it has helped me a lot with my sleep and depression. The first month on it was a little rough though. Gave me bad irritability.

CarriB · Dec 16, 2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

Latuda has been a good med for me. I only take 20mg, but it has helped me a lot with my sleep and depression. The first month on it was a little rough though. Gave me bad irritability.

Good to know. I'm feeling a little more irritable since starting but the depression is lifting.

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