Daily Medication Pearl: Lurasidone Hydrochloride (Latuda) for Schizophrenia

Medication Pearl of the Day: Lurasidone Hydrochloride (Latuda)

Indication: Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults and adolescents, depressive episode associated with bipolar I disorder in adults and pediatric patients as monotherapy, and depressive episode associated with bipolar I disorder in adults as adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate.

Insight:

• Dosing: Depending on the diagnosis, may start from 20 mg up to 160 mg per day.
• Dosage form: Tablets 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg.
• Adverse events (AEs): Common AEs associated with Latuda are somnolence, akathisia, extrapyramidal symptoms, nausea, rhinitis, weight increase, and insomnia.
• Mechanism of action: Its efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar depression could be mediated through a combination of central dopamine D2 and serotonin type 2 receptor antagonism.
• Manufacturer: Sunovion

Sources:

• LatudaPrescribingInformation.pdf
• What is LATUDA? | Latuda® (lurasidone HCl)
• latuda image - Google Search