A second-generation antipsychotic

Lurasidone

A second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, often chosen for its relatively favourable effect on weight and metabolism.

What is Lurasidone?

Lurasidone is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It must be taken with food so that the body absorbs it properly. It is often chosen because it tends to have a smaller effect on weight and blood sugar than some other antipsychotics, though it can still cause movement-related and other side effects.

Class: Antipsychotics · Brands: Latuda

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Lurasidone — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review
Class: Antipsychotics → Brands: Latuda
Lurasidone (Antipsychotics) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Lurasidone — Antipsychotics. The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Lurasidone is a second-generation, or 'atypical', antipsychotic used in the UK to treat schizophrenia. It can help reduce symptoms such as hearing voices, false beliefs and confused thinking, and it is taken as a once-daily tablet with food. It is often considered when an antipsychotic with a relatively favourable effect on weight, blood sugar and cholesterol is wanted, though like all antipsychotics it needs careful monitoring.

How it works

Lurasidone mainly blocks dopamine receptors in the brain, calming the over-active dopamine signalling that is linked to symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. It also acts on serotonin receptors, which is thought to help with its overall effect and may reduce some movement side effects. It must be taken with food, because food substantially increases how much of the medicine is absorbed.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Sumitomo Pharma (Dainippon Sumitomo).

Lurasidone was developed by the Japanese company Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma and first approved in the United States in 2010.

What it treats

Conditions Lurasidone is used for

Schizophrenia & psychosisA serious mental illness where a person loses some contact with reality — treated with ant…

Practical use

How to take Lurasidone

General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.

  • Take it once a day, always with food, at about the same time each day.
  • Do not take it on an empty stomach, as it will not be absorbed properly.
  • Keep taking it even when you feel well, as it works by preventing symptoms returning.
  • It can take some weeks to work fully, so be patient and keep follow-up appointments.
  • Do not stop suddenly; any change should be planned with your team.
  • Report restlessness, stiffness or unusual movements to your prescriber.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Lurasidone

Advantages

  • Effective for the symptoms of schizophrenia.
  • Tends to have a smaller effect on weight, blood sugar and cholesterol than several other antipsychotics.
  • Taken as a simple once-daily tablet.
  • Less sedating than some alternatives for many people.

Disadvantages

  • Must be taken with food, or it will not work properly.
  • Can cause movement-related effects such as restlessness or stiffness.
  • Still requires regular physical-health and blood monitoring.
  • Should not be stopped suddenly, as symptoms can return.
  • Can interact with certain other medicines.

Practical use

Good to know

Lurasidone must be taken with food at about the same time each day, because taking it on an empty stomach greatly reduces absorption and effectiveness. It can take some weeks to see the full benefit. It should not be stopped suddenly, as symptoms can return; any change should be planned with your team. Although its effect on weight and blood sugar tends to be more favourable than some antipsychotics, monitoring is still needed, and it can cause movement-related effects such as restlessness.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People with a known allergy to lurasidone.
  • People taking certain medicines that strongly affect how lurasidone is broken down (see interactions).
  • Use with caution in people with heart conditions, Parkinson's disease or dementia, and in older people.
  • Use with caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding, after discussion with the specialist team.

Monitoring

  • Weight, blood sugar and cholesterol checks.
  • Watching for movement-related side effects.
  • Heart and general physical-health review as advised.

Side effects

  • Restlessness or an inability to keep still (akathisia).
  • Drowsiness or, in some people, difficulty sleeping.
  • Nausea.
  • Muscle stiffness or tremor.
  • Raised prolactin, and changes in weight or blood sugar (generally less than with some other antipsychotics).

Key interactions

  • Medicines that strongly increase or reduce its breakdown (certain antifungals, some antibiotics, certain epilepsy medicines), some of which should not be combined with it.
  • Grapefruit juice, which can raise its levels and should be avoided.
  • Other medicines that cause drowsiness, including alcohol.
  • Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all your medicines.

Available as: Tablets.

Answers

Lurasidone: frequently asked questions

Why does lurasidone have to be taken with food?

Food greatly increases how much lurasidone the body absorbs. Taken on an empty stomach, much less gets into the bloodstream and it may not work properly, so it should always be taken with a meal.

Does lurasidone cause weight gain?

It can affect weight, but its effect on weight, blood sugar and cholesterol tends to be smaller than with several other antipsychotics. Your team will still monitor these as part of routine care.

How long does lurasidone take to work?

Some benefit may come within the first weeks, but the fuller effect can take several weeks. It is important to keep taking it and attend follow-up even before you feel the full benefit.

Can I stop lurasidone once I feel better?

You should not stop it suddenly, as symptoms can return. It works by keeping symptoms away, so any change should be planned with your specialist team.

What is the difference between lurasidone and Latuda?

They are the same medicine. Lurasidone is the active-ingredient (generic) name and Latuda is a brand name; both contain identical lurasidone.

The wider class

About Antipsychotics

Lurasidone belongs to the antipsychotics class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.

AntipsychoticsDrugs for psychosis, bipolar disorder and other conditions — balanced against movement and metabolic side-effects. QuetiapineAn atypical antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; can cause sedation, …OlanzapineAn effective atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, well known for…AripiprazoleAn atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that tends to be more wei…RisperidoneA widely used atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, available as …HaloperidolA long-established first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, agitation and ot…PaliperidoneA second-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia, available as daily tablets or as a lo…SulpirideAn antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia; it can raise prolactin and cause movement ef…AmisulprideA second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia that can calm symptoms at higher …ChlorpromazineAn older 'first-generation' antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and other conditions…FlupentixolAn antipsychotic for schizophrenia that can be taken as tablets or given as a long-acting …TrifluoperazineA first-generation antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and other psychosis, and at lower a…LevomepromazineA sedating antipsychotic used in psychosis but, in UK practice, most often in palliative c…PericyazineA first-generation (older) antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and severe agitation.…ZuclopenthixolAn older antipsychotic for schizophrenia, available as tablets and as a long-acting depot …AsenapineA second-generation antipsychotic taken as a tablet that dissolves under the tongue, used …CariprazineA second-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia with a long-lasting effect in the body…DroperidolA butyrophenone medicine used mainly to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, especially …BenperidolAn antipsychotic occasionally used under specialist care to control deviant antisocial sex…LoxapineAn antipsychotic medicine; its inhaled form is used in hospital settings to calm sudden ag…PericiazineAn older phenothiazine antipsychotic, also used for severe anxiety or agitation, that is m…PimozideAn antipsychotic tablet used for schizophrenia and a specific delusional condition, which …PipotiazineA long-acting antipsychotic given by injection to maintain treatment for schizophrenia.…PromazineAn older antipsychotic used mainly for short-term agitation and restlessness, especially i…FluphenazineAn older antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, often as a long-acting depot injection that…PerphenazineA first-generation antipsychotic used for conditions such as schizophrenia, and also to tr…ZiprasidoneA second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, taken with …BrexpiprazoleA newer antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and as an add-on in depression that has not r…IloperidoneA second-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, with the dose built up slow…ThiothixeneA first-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, more commonly seen as a Unit…Aripiprazole lauroxilA long-acting depot injection of the antipsychotic aripiprazole, given every few weeks to …LumateperoneA newer once-daily antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and for bipolar depression.…MolindoneAn older first-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, mainly available in t…PimavanserinA medicine used to treat the hallucinations and delusions (psychosis) that can occur in Pa…ClozapineThe most effective medicine for schizophrenia that has not responded to other treatments —…

Browse by body system

Mental healthConditions and medicines for mood, anxiety, psychosis, sleep and dependence — used alongsi…

Authoritative sources

  • BNF: Lurasidone.
  • NICE CKS: Lurasidone.
  • electronic Medicines Compendium (SmPC): Latuda (lurasidone).

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