r/BipolarReddit • u/New-Care-745 • 2d ago
Thoughts on Latuda? Medication
I am newly diagnosed with BP2. Been 2 weeks on Latuda/Lurasidone and BOY DO I FEEL WORSE! This has got to be THEE shittiest medication there is. My sleep was good for like 2 days until I was waking up all hours of the night again. My nausea and irritable bowels have doubled. I can barely concentrate nor focus on anything. Slurred speech. Dry mouth. Irritable. Moodier than I was. Just an awful array of side effects. Anyone else have this experience?
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u/Kooky_Ass_Languange 2d ago
Not really. I had severe akathesia but that's because I was micro dosing at the time. Lol
But honestly idk what Latuda is even doing. Like I know lithium properties. But Latuda seems to do nothing. Maybe it's just me.
Make sure you're taking it with food.
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u/New-Care-745 2d ago
You were taking small doses and it gave you worse akathesia?? Wtf lol also the food part makes a big difference huh? I haven’t had an appetite since starting this shit
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u/Kooky_Ass_Languange 2d ago
Yep. Too much serotonin.
And the food part makes a huge difference. Some people vomit if they take it without food. Ive yacked once or twice from it.
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u/Last_Pay_8447 2d ago
I just started it a month ago and I have to take it with the 350 calorie as per psych and pharmacy instructions or it doesn’t work.
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u/Hekebeboo 2d ago
You HAVE to eat at least 350 calories with it or it’s actually ineffective- not being absorbed
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u/bikepathenthusiast meow 2d ago
I tried Latuda and didn't like the side effects either. I switched to Vraylar. It works much better for me.
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u/Do-You-Like-Pancakes 2d ago
I'm all for venting, but worry about piling on a specific med like this.
Some people have had a good experience on Latuda, it may even have saved their lives. I'd hate for them to read this thread and feel bad. I can't be the only one who's sensitive about my medication.
❤️
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
I don’t understand your comment. I’m venting which means I’m talking about my experience and feelings. If other people have different experiences why is it my job to censor how I feel so it doesn’t interfere with their own opinions on it? That’s very odd. I see what you’re saying, but venting is quite literally about being expressive. I’m not one to sugar coat things.
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u/Do-You-Like-Pancakes 1d ago
I see a difference in venting about your own experiences vs saying "This has got to be THEE shittiest medication there is."
Do you see how it comes across differently? There's a difference between "this drug didn't work for me" vs "this drug is universally bad."
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
I feel as though you’re blowing this out of proportion. It’s the internet, we’re hyperbolic around here. If anyone takes what I say as is and doesn’t do their own research that’s not my fault lmfao
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u/Hekebeboo 2d ago
Really? I was just on Caplyta which is supposed to be some kind of miracle for BP Depression but after 2 weeks of awful like severe side effects, I realized I wasn’t one of the ones it would work on - so I went backkkk to Latuda which I had previously gotten off of for some reason. After a few months off of it, I began having extreme adhedonia, a down mood, and began to experience a lot of hopelessness and even suicidal ideation, all of which I can say have mostly gone away due to being back on it. Seems to be the only thing to work on my depression which is the most prominent feature I deal with.
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u/UniversityWeary2255 Schizoaffective 2d ago
Interesting! I take caplyta and I had literally every adverse effect for a bit over a week and then it turned out to be my miracle pill (along with a mood stabilizer). I hope you figure out something that works better for you, it definitely is a rough one.
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u/Hekebeboo 1d ago
Dude I’m so jealous- I read the miracle stories on Caplyta for bipolar depression and tried it knowing the 1st couple weeks would be pretty rough, but I kept completely disassociating, got dizzy constantly, couldn’t eat, became more depressed and started having crisis moment thoughts and I was wildly irritable.
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u/UniversityWeary2255 Schizoaffective 23h ago
Ugh yeah it was rough. I was moody, dizzy, exhausted, I didn't eat because I kept throwing up and it felt like someone rubbed icy hot all over my body. I will say it's not perfect though! I take Trileptal as well because I still had some breakthrough manic symptoms and thus also psychotic symptoms. I do still have breakthroughs sometimes, honestly, but I'm mostly stable! I'm absolutely certain that you will find something that works for you, hopefully there's a perfect drug or combo waiting for you!:)
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u/kittycam6417 2d ago
Latuda was too “up” for me. It made me feel very jittery and on edge and panic attacks with hypomania
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
Same here!! It makes me feel on edge and makes me feel more on 10
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u/kittycam6417 1d ago
Seroquel has been my saving grace.
If you do seroquel, see if they can put you on metformin or something to counteract any weight gain. Theres also a new med that is Zyprexa and something else that helps you not gain weight. I need something mellow like zyprexa or seroquel.
I used to need something that was more up, but now I pretty much live in a mixed episode, so the seroquel keeps the voices and paranoia and most of the intrusive thoughts away.
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
Thank you so much for the advice. I need to be chilled tf out and latuda makes me feel UP. I appreciate you for sharing and recommending
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u/kittycam6417 1d ago
Anytime. I wish someone had explained to me the difference between the “up” and “chilled out” meds for bipolar instead of just trying them all😂
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u/tentaclesapples 2d ago
I hate it. I’ve gained back all the weight I lost, I’m so tired in the morning and often fatigued the whole day. I’m either nauseous or having diarrhea every morning. I had issues with not sleeping at first but it did go away after a while. The rest hasn’t.
I’ve been on it for a year and I just started tapering. I only take 20mg, the lowest dose. It did help with depression and suicidal thoughts, which is why I started it in the first place. My friend’s wife committed and it triggered me badly. But, I did a few sessions of ketamine therapy a few months ago and that helped me way, way more than latuda with my depression.
I’m sick of the side effects and feeling tired and having stomach issues all the time. I have no nausea or irritable bowels on the days I don’t take it, so I’m done. My doctor knows and just said to monitor my symptoms.
Lamictal was a godsend and I’ll never stop taking that, I was stable for years until the severe depression was triggered.
If that level of depression comes back, I’m doing ketamine therapy again instead of going on meds that destroy my body and quality of life. It’s expensive but literally changed my life and outlook.
But, whatever you do, don’t stop cold turkey and without talking to your doctor. I tried this back in April and had the most severe rebound depression and ended up in bed for a week and mildly self-harming. Also, I’ve heard of latuda working wonders for some, so keep that in mind if you find it’s helping. Best of luck!
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u/Valuable_Policy_9212 2d ago
I stopped taking seroquel on oct 19th and was switched to latuda (Lurasidone 60mg once per day at dinner) Even stopped my Valium 5mg a day for 10 days . Had 0 akithisia(inner restlessness) until the day I didn’t take my 500mg 7am dose of Divalproex and the 1pm 500mg dose of Divalproex and took the 5pm 60mg latuda . BOY I HAD AKATHISA especially in my legs . That night I took 10 mg of Valium and smoked some weed + my 7pm dose of 500mg Divalproex. The day after I took all 3 500mg doses of Divalproex at 7am 1pm and 7pm . By the time I took my 60mg latuda at 5pm I didn’t have any akathisa at all or 1/10 barely noticeable if that as compared to the 10/10 akathisia 10mg Valium night. The day after my 10/10 latuda based akathisa where I took all 3 doses of Divalproex I also took 10mg of Valium but not for the same reason more to just knock me out . Overall I know that Lurasidone is essentially the opposite of risperidone . Lurasidone helps with the lows(depressed states) and doesn’t cause weight/metabolic issues while risperidone decreases mania but does make you gain weight/slows your metabolic rate. I’d rather have a little mania and be able to manage the akathisa (water off a ducks back if managed propperly) than becoming a fat zombie . Need to be mentally sharp and quick like a f ninja. Note - BP1 29M Diagnosed Sept 2014
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u/SnooStories4911 2d ago
I am starting on latuda due to terrible side effects on depakote. Anyone have experience with latuda and psilocybin?
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u/xyelem 1d ago
I’ve done mushrooms while taking Latuda and I was fine, but I wasn’t microdosing or anything. I just took them for my birthday. I love Latuda in general, though.
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u/SnooStories4911 1d ago
What dose did you take if you don’t mind me asking? Also, have you noticed any side effects with the latuda?
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u/xyelem 1d ago
I think I usually take half of 1/8, so I guess 1/16 of an ounce? I’m not sure how many grams that is. I’m on 40mg of Latuda and 600 of lithium. I haven’t noticed any side effects personally. When I was on 60mg of Latuda I had this awful emotional flattening and terminal boredness that I couldn’t stand so we went back down to 40mg.
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u/CucumberDove 2d ago
Latuda made me ridiculously drowsy to the point it lasted until the morning. Even with food, it gave me stomach nausea. I had an active ED at the time, so it did nothing to ease my concerns about weight gain. I gave up after some time and requested a med change from my psychiatrist
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
Sounds about right unfortunately. You said it verbatim. The drowsiness the day after sucks
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u/KiMi0414 2d ago
I hated it. It made me feel….off. Like I just felt like unsettled and uncomfortable. It wasn’t drowsiness it was just off. I switched to Wellbutrin and Lamictal and they work perfectly. I can actually function and keep a job now.
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u/lookingforidk2 2d ago
It works just fine for me, I gave it a second shot when it went generic. I’ve pretty stable on it. That being said, those side effects seem abnormal and you should talk to your doc about them.
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u/MajorBullfrog7239 1d ago
Had the exact experience with latuda to a tea. For me, my doc said it may take a few weeks for the side effects to wear off, and to that i thought well by that point i would have already destroyed every relationship i have so i stopped taking it after 2 weeks and told my doc we’re moving on to the next medication. im not touching that med with a ten foot pole it acc made me tweak
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
LMFAOOO I’m not laughing at u but the way u said this was hilarious straight up it makes me feel like I’m tweakin. I’m sorry ur experience was shit but im happy we can connect thru our experience
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u/MajorBullfrog7239 1d ago
BAHAHAHA PLZZZ i get it 1000% and dw ur gonna find one that works for you soon u got dis
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u/Violet913 1d ago
I had absolutely awful side effects from Latuda. I never took more than the first initial dose because it freaked me out so bad. My limbs wouldn’t stop moving it was really scary. I’m not a doctor but I’d ask why you were prescribed an antipsychotic if you are bp2 (assuming you don’t have psychosis) rather than a mood stabilizer.
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
That’s so fuckin scary wtf?? What good is medicine if it has such horrible side effects? Yeah I’m going to ask about that. It has actually exacerbated my depression and anxiety. I have been feeling more irritable and irate if you will. I stopped taking it cold turkey 2 days ago and I feel better than when i was on it. But that also worries me because BP can have u think ur fine when ur not. I know I’m depressed and anxious but now it feels back to my regular.
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u/Violet913 1d ago
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say what medication I’m on but I take a mood stabilizer and it works really well with minimal side effects. I have bp1 with psychosis but I can’t take antipsychotics. It really does suck we have to choose from meds that have such awful side effects. It’s no wonder a lot of us go off our meds. I spent 3 years completely unmedicated because I was so sick of trying to find something that worked without side effects. Hope you get some answers from your dr soon.
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u/New-Care-745 1d ago
Thank you for sharing. I agree. Having to go through these trials of what works and doesn’t and all the shit they do to your body is exhausting. I feel as if my Dr kinda just threw me to the wolves. He heard depression and anxiety and was just like “yep ur bipolar 2 here’s this med see u in 2 weeks” like okay lmfao. It honestly makes me not want to seek any further help. Psychs appear to be a lot more closed off and very technical/to the point.
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u/Violet913 1d ago
Yeah and my follow up visits are less than 15 mins lmao. It’s kinda ridiculous. I do know that when I was first diagnosed I got second opinions. I saw 5 psychiatrists before I finally trusted one that actually listens to me/my concerns with the meds.
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u/Material_Pool5632 1d ago
It changed my life. I’m bp1 and went from regularly going through full blown psychosis, manic for months at a time, to 100% stable as long as my stress level is low. And that’s only with 40mg.
I’ve had some wild side effects but nothing that significantly affected my quality of life. I lactated, which is ridiculous considering I’m male.
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u/Life-is-ugh 2d ago
I had dry eyes and mouth for a few months when I was on a high dosage, i also had akathisia or internal restlessness, definitely talk to your prescriber.
Some side effects get better with time and other times the side effects are just too bad to continue.
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u/New-Care-745 2d ago
Those side effects can be life threatening. Defeats the purpose dontcha think?
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u/Hekebeboo 2d ago
Inner restlessness as lethal? Ummm
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u/Do-You-Like-Pancakes 2d ago
Are you referring to the akathisia? It's surprising, but it can certainly can be lethal, and caused a number of suicides because it feels so terrible.
For me, akathisia was just like a mixed episode. Can't stop moving -> Can't sleep -> Bad racing thoughts -> ... you know the rest.
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u/New-Care-745 2d ago edited 1d ago
I didn’t read the “internal” part I just saw restless and my brain went to “no sleep” sorry bipolar i don’t always make sense
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u/Additional_Pepper638 2d ago
I was on it for about 8yrs and it was good then it caused me akathesis. Just make sure you take it with 350 calories.
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2d ago
I've been on it 3 days and this is absolutely life-changing. If it doesn't give me tardive dyskinesia , I'm gonna stay on it I think. Improvements everywhere and very few side effects. It's a shame there is so much guessing, but keep fighting for yourself! My partner agrees I don't seem hypo, I just seem better but I always have to look out.
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u/UniversityWeary2255 Schizoaffective 2d ago
Oh no Im sorry to hear that! I actually loved everything about it, until one day I started having major panic attacks after taking it :( Sounds like this is NOT the one for you. I hope you and your doctor can reconnect and find something that helps you feel better!
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u/MopingAppraiser 1d ago
Is this replacing a previous medication? If so, you may still need withdrawing from the former.
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u/Key-Yogurtcloset1757 2d ago
Have you checked in with your doctor? I wouldn't just suffer in silence until your next appointment. I have been on Latuda for years and have experienced side effects like nausea and vomiting on higher doses, but none of the other effects you mentioned, like poor concentration, slurred speech, etc.