lurasidone

Antipsychotic

Brands: LATUDA

Last reviewed 2026-02-12

Reviewed by PsychMed Editorial Team.

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Quick answers

What is lurasidone?
Lurasidone (Latuda) is an second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) approved for schizophrenia in adults and adolescents as well as bipolar I depression in adults and children aged 10–17, notable for low metabolic impact and once-daily dosing.
What is LATUDA?
LATUDA is a brand name for lurasidone.
What is LATUDA (lurasidone) used for?
Label indications include: Schizophrenia (adults); Schizophrenia (adolescents 13–17); Bipolar I depression (adults); Bipolar I depression (pediatrics 10–17).
What drug class is LATUDA (lurasidone)?
Antipsychotic.
What is the mechanism of action of LATUDA (lurasidone)?
D2 and 5‑HT2A antagonism; 5‑HT7 antagonism; partial 5‑HT1A agonism.
What strengths does LATUDA (lurasidone) come in?
Oral tablets 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg; each dose must be taken with ≥350 calories.
Is LATUDA (lurasidone) a controlled substance?
No — it is not scheduled as a controlled substance under U.S. federal law.

Snapshot

Class: Antipsychotic
Common US brands: LATUDA
Therapeutic drug monitoring not routinely recommended.
Last reviewed: 2026-02-12

Clinical Highlights

Lurasidone (Latuda) is an second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) approved for schizophrenia in adults and adolescents as well as bipolar I depression in adults and children aged 10–17, notable for low metabolic impact and once-daily dosing. Therapeutic exposure requires administration with a meal providing at least 350 calories—missed food intake can significantly reduce serum levels and efficacy.

Despite weight neutrality, lurasidone offers limited antimanic protection, so companion mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics are often used when manic/hypomanic relapse prevention is needed.
Preferred in patients with cardiometabolic risk or prior weight gain on other SGAs; counseling often focuses on meal timing, managing akathisia/nausea, and avoiding interacting CYP3A4 agents.
The compare tool and lurasidone evidence feed can help contextualize metabolic outcomes, meal requirements, and bipolar efficacy; coordinate bipolar education through the bipolar disorder hub.
Schizophrenia (adults) (FDA 2010)
Schizophrenia (adolescents 13–17) (FDA 2017)

Dosing & Formulations

Oral tablets 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg; each dose must be taken with ≥350 calories. Adult schizophrenia: start 40 mg once daily with food; titrate in 40 mg increments to 40–160 mg/day based on response and tolerability.

Adolescent schizophrenia (13–17): start 40 mg once daily with food; adjust to 40–80 mg/day.
Adult bipolar depression: start 20 mg once daily; increase to 20–60 mg/day for monotherapy or up to 120 mg/day when adjuncting lithium/valproate.
Pediatric bipolar depression (10–17): start 20 mg once daily; titrate to 20–80 mg/day.
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors necessitate halving the dose (max 80 mg/day); strong CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers are contraindicated. Limit to 80 mg/day in moderate/severe renal impairment and 40 mg/day in moderate/severe hepatic impairment.

Monitoring & Risks

Boxed warning: Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (class warning). Boxed warning: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults (bipolar depression indication).

Nausea: ≈16% vs 7% with placebo; often early and dose-related.
Akathisia: ≈12–15%, particularly at doses ≥80 mg.
Somnolence/sedation: ≈13%; evening dosing or dose reduction can help.
Parkinsonism: ≈10% overall; bradykinesia/rigidity monitoring is common.

Drug Interactions

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin) and inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s wort) are contraindicated; grapefruit products are typically avoided. Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole) require dose reduction and close monitoring.

Additive CNS depression occurs with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, or other sedatives—driving and machinery precautions are commonly discussed.
May diminish the effect of dopamine agonists in Parkinson’s disease; therapy adjustments are often coordinated with neurology teams.

Practice Notes

Meal timing strategies (pair doses with a reliable main meal) are often emphasized to support adherence and reduce GI upset. Weight, BMI, fasting lipids, and glucose are typically monitored at baseline and periodically despite favorable averages to remain consistent with SGA safety standards.

Akathisia is often reassessed within 2–4 weeks of dose changes; early management can support adherence.
Contraception and pregnancy plans are typically discussed; limited human data exist, so obstetrics coordination is common for risk–benefit decisions.
Education for patients and care partners often covers recognizing mood changes or suicidality, particularly in younger populations being treated for bipolar depression.

References

LATUDA prescribing information — DailyMed (2026)
The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia — American Psychiatric Association (2020)Guidelineschizophreniaclinical
Effectiveness OF Lurasidone VS. Quetiapine XR FOR Relapse Prevention IN Schizophrenia: A 12 Month, Double Blind, Noninferiority Study — Schizophrenia Research (2013)
Lurasidone Monotherapy IN Bipolar I Depression: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Study — American Journal of Psychiatry (2014)
Long Term Safety AND Effectiveness OF Lurasidone IN Schizophrenia — Schizophrenia Research (2016)
The CANMAT and ISBD Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Bipolar Disorder: 2021 Update — Bipolar Disorders (2021)Guidelinebipolarclinical