When your doctor prescribes a new medication, it's normal to feel a little curious, maybe even nervous. Especially if the medication is related to your mental health, you'll have a lot of questions. "Will this help me?", "Will there be any side effects?" It's natural to wonder. So, today we're going to talk about a medication that you've probably been prescribed, or maybe you've heard of. That's Lurasidone. In Sri Lanka, many people know it by the brand name Latuda. Let's take a look at what this medication is for, how it works, and what we need to be aware of when using it.
Simply put, what is Lurasidone?
Lurasidone is a medication used to treat several mental health conditions. It is mainly used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression .
Think of our brain as a complex radio. In order for the radio to be heard clearly, the signals must be perfectly balanced. Our minds also have a similar system of chemical signals that control our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We call these neurotransmitters . Dopamine and Serotonin are two of the main neurotransmitters.
In conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar depression, the balance of these chemicals is disrupted. It's like the radio is not tuned properly and there's 'noise'. Lurasidone works by restoring the imbalanced levels of dopamine and serotonin. By restoring the brain's chemical messengers, symptoms are controlled and you can think, feel, and function normally.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called antipsychotics . But don't be afraid to hear the name. This class of drugs is used to treat a wide range of mental health problems.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting Lurasidone
Before starting any medication, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about your complete health history. This is because this medication may interact with other medical conditions you may have. Therefore, if you have any of the following, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Lurasidone.
| Health condition or problem | Details to inform the doctor |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | If you have diabetes or someone in your family has diabetes. |
| Heart disease | High blood pressure, heart rhythm irregularities, or other heart disease. |
| Liver or Kidney disease | If you have any liver or kidney disease. |
| High cholesterol | If the blood cholesterol level is high. |
| Epilepsy/ Seizures | If you have had a seizure ( convulsions ) before. |
| Parkinson's disease | If you have Parkinson's disease. |
| Dementia | Memory impairment, especially in the elderly. |
| Stroke | If you have had a stroke before. |
| Suicidal thoughts | If you or someone in your family has previously thought about or attempted suicide. |
| Difficulty swallowing | If you have difficulty swallowing food or liquids. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to lurasidone or any other medicine or food. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
1. Take with food: This is the most important thing to remember about Lurasidone. This medication is not absorbed properly by the body if taken on an empty stomach. Therefore, it is essential to take this pill with a meal or immediately after a meal . It is best to take it with a good meal (containing at least 350 calories), not just a small biscuit.
2. Drink with a glass of water: Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
3. Take it on time: Try to take your prescribed dose at the same time every day, as prescribed by your doctor. Making this a habit will help you avoid missing your medication.
4. Don't stop taking the medicine on your own: Even if you feel better, never stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor . If you do, your symptoms may return. If you do stop taking the medicine, do so as directed by your doctor, gradually reducing the dose.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to someone else, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
We all forget to take our medicine sometimes. If that happens, don't worry.
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is almost time for your next dose (for example, it is only a few hours away), skip the missed dose and just take the next dose at the scheduled time.
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose for any reason.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you suspect you have taken more than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other things that may interact with Lurasidone
Some medications, foods, and beverages can interact with Lurasidone, changing how it works or increasing side effects. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies).
| Do not take Lurasidone with these | |
|---|---|
| Antifungals | Some antifungals such as Ketoconazole, Voriconazole |
| Antibiotics | Some antibiotics like Clarithromycin, Rifampin |
| Epilepsy medication | Drugs like Carbamazepine, Phenytoin |
| HIV medications | Some medications, such as ritonavir |
| Herbal products | St. John's wort |
| Caution should be exercised when taking Lurasidone with these: | |
| Grapefruit | Avoid drinking grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as it can increase the level of Lurasidone in the body to an unnecessary extent. |
| Other psychiatric medications | Other medicines for depression, anxiety, or sleep. |
| Blood pressure medications | Blood pressure lowering medications. |
| Painkillers | Some strong painkillers (Opioids). |
What are the things to be careful about when taking medication?
While taking Lurasidone, it's a good idea to pay a little more attention to your body and mind.
Be aware of changes in mood.
This is very important. Some people may become more depressed or have thoughts of harming themselves, especially at the beginning of treatment or when the dose is changed. If you or your family notice any of the following changes , talk to your doctor right away :
- If you feel anxious or restless
- If you get angry very quickly, if you show aggressive behavior
- If you act recklessly and without thinking,
- If you have insomnia or hyperactivity
Be aware of other effects on the body
- Dizziness and drowsiness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know exactly how this medicine affects you. You may feel dizzy when you stand up suddenly from a sitting position or when you get out of bed. To reduce this, get up slowly.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lurasidone. Alcohol can increase the side effects of the drug, especially drowsiness.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may increase blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about this and check your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Body temperature control: This medication may affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. That is, it may reduce the body's ability to tolerate extreme cold or extreme heat. In a hot country like ours, avoid staying in the sun too much, drink plenty of water, and wear light clothing .
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like all medicines, Lurasidone can cause side effects. However, not everybody gets them. Some are serious, while others are mild. It is important to know what these side effects are and what to do if they occur.
| If these symptoms occur, inform your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| An allergic reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | Very high fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion. This is a very serious condition. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrollable movements of body parts (especially the face, tongue), muscle stiffness, tremors, unsteady gait, difficulty walking. |
| Stroke symptoms | Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, severe headache. |
| High blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) | Excessive thirst, frequent urination, extreme fatigue, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | It can happen to many people in the early stages. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Restlessness | Feeling unable to stay in one place. |
| Nasal congestion or mucus | Feeling like a cold. |
| Weight gain | It may happen to some people. |
How to store medicine safely?
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius), away from moisture and direct sunlight. Do not store medication in areas with high humidity, such as the bathroom.
- Do not use expired medicine and dispose of it safely.
Take-Home Message
- Lurasidone (Latuda) is an effective medication that treats conditions such as schizoaffective disorder and bipolar depression.
- This medicine should definitely be taken with a good meal . Avoid taking it on an empty stomach.
- Even if you feel better, avoid stopping the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking. Avoid grapefruit .
- During the initial stages of taking this medication, be very alert for changes in your mental state, especially thoughts of suicide. If you experience any of these, tell your doctor immediately.
- If you experience serious side effects such as high fever, muscle stiffness, or uncontrollable body movements, seek medical advice immediately.
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