Lurasidone is used to treat schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour). It helps relieve symptoms common in schizophrenia, such as distorted thinking and emotional instability.
It is also used on its own or together with other medicines to treat depression in people with bipolar disorder (mental condition that causes extreme mood changes between feeling very high [mania] and very low [depression]).
Take Lurasidone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it together with food (at least 350 calories) or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Lurasidone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Do not stop taking Lurasidone suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take the missed dose with food as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Lurasidone with certain medicines used to treat HIV infection, fungal infections, fits or seizures, or chest pain, and certain antibiotics. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- current or history of heart disease or blood vessel problems e.g. previous heart attack, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- history of disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
- at risk of orthostatic hypotension (a sudden fall in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying down position) e.g. dehydration (excessive water loss from the body), hypovolaemia (low volume of circulating fluids in the body)
- history of fits or seizures
- diabetes or at risk of having diabetes e.g. family history of diabetes, obesity
- Alzheimer's disease (a progressive disease which destroys memory and other important mental functions)
- Parkinson's disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- other mood disorders
- current or history of low white blood cell count
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Lurasidone to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Medicines for depression such as Lurasidone may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. As depression and some psychiatric disorders are themselves associated with an increased risk of suicide, it is important for you or your family member to monitor your condition, especially at the start of treatment and if your dosage is still being adjusted. If you experience new or sudden changes in mood, behaviour, thoughts or feelings, or a worsening of your depression with suicidal thoughts or attempts, harm to self or harm to others, contact your doctor immediately.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function; cholesterol, blood sugar, and electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure and pulse regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of weight and signs or symptoms of involuntary movements may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes should I make?
Lurasidone may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help increase energy and hormones in the body such as serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good chemicals that minimise mood swings. Get enough sleep, as lack of sleep may cause irritability, moodiness, sadness, and tiredness.
Lurasidone may cause drowsiness or impaired thinking, judgement, or motor skills. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth, stomach pain and discomfort, decreased appetite, weight gain, itching, back pain, tiredness, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- having thoughts of self-harm
- unusually grand ideas, greatly increased energy, racing thoughts, talking more or faster than usual
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- uncontrolled movements of your face, mouth, tongue, or other body parts
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- high fever, muscle stiffness or cramps, confusion, changes in thinking, excessive sweating
- enlarged breasts (in men), problems getting or maintaining an erection
- nipple discharge, menstrual changes
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Lurasidone if you are taking any of these medicines:
- certain medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin
- ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- mibefradil (medicine for chest pain)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- clarithromycin (antibiotic)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. diltiazem, verapamil
- other antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, nafcillin
- other medicines for HIV infection e.g. efavirenz, etravirine, atazanavir
- fluconazole (medicine to treat fungal infection)
- modafinil (medicine to treat excessive sleepiness)
- bosentan (medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension [high blood pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs])
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lurasidone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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