Lurasidone tablet

What is lurasidone?

Lurasidone is an antipsychotic medicine. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.
Lurasidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers who are at least 13 years old.
Lurasidone is also used to treat episodes of depression related to bipolar disorder (manic depression) in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Lurasidone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

Lurasidone is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Lurasidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using. Many drugs can interact with lurasidone, and some drugs should not be used together.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use lurasidone if you are allergic to it.
Some medicines can interact with lurasidone and should not be used at the same time. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use certain other medicines, including:

• antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole or voriconazole;
• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin or rifampin;
• an antiviral such as ritonavir;
• St. John's wort; or
• seizure medicine such as carbamazepine or phenytoin.

Lurasidone is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Lurasidone may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease or a stroke;
• high or low blood pressure;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• diabetes or high blood sugar (in you or your family);
• a seizure;
• liver or kidney disease;
• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
• abnormal hormone function tests (thyroid, pituitary gland);
• breast cancer; or
• suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking medicine to treat depression. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking lurasidone, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of lurasidone on the baby.
It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using lurasidone. Ask your doctor about any risks.
Lurasidone is not approved for schizophrenia in anyone younger than 13 years old. Lurasidone is not approved for depression in anyone younger than 10 years old.

How should I take lurasidone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Lurasidone should be taken with food (at least 350 calories).
You may need frequent blood tests.
It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using lurasidone.
You should not stop using lurasidone suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause other problems.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What should I avoid while taking lurasidone?

Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how lurasidone will affect you. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with lurasidone and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking lurasidone.
It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking lurasidone. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. You may also be more sensitive to temperature extremes (hot or cold).

Lurasidone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
High doses or long-term use of lurasidone can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes, face, arms, or legs. The longer you take lurasidone, the more likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this side effect is higher in diabetics and older adults (especially women).
Call your doctor at once if you have:

• any new or unusual muscle movements you cannot control;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• (in women) irregular menstrual periods, breast or vaginal changes, nipple discharge;
• (in men) breast swelling, impotence;
• trouble swallowing;
• low blood cell counts--sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, swollen gums, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing;
• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects may include:

• drowsiness;
• weight gain;
• tremors, muscle stiffness, problems with muscle movement;
• feeling restless or being unable to sit still;
• nausea, vomiting;
• runny nose; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.