Lurasidone, known by the trade name Latuda, is a medication of the antipsychotic class, used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia and depression caused by bipolar disorder.
This medication was recently approved by Anvisa for sale in pharmacies in Brazil, in 20mg, 40mg and 80mg tablets, in packs of 7, 14, 30 or 60 pills, and can be found or ordered in the main pharmacies. As it is an antipsychotic, Lurasidone is part of the category of controlled drugs and sold only with a special prescription in two copies.
What is it for
Lurasidone is used to treat:
- Schizophrenia, in adults and adolescents aged 13 to 18 years old; Depression associated with bipolar disorder, in adults, as a single medication or in association with others, such as Lithium or Valproate.
This medication is an antipsychotic, which acts as a selective blocking agent of the effects of dopamine and monoamine, which are brain neurotransmitters, important for improving symptoms.
However, it works with some improvements in relation to older antipsychotics, such as minor changes in metabolism, having less effect on weight gain and changes in the body's fat and glucose profile.
How to take
Lurasidone tablets should be taken orally, once a day, together with a meal, and it is recommended that they be taken at the same time each day. In addition, the tablets should be swallowed whole, to avoid their bitter taste.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects of Lurasidone are drowsiness, restlessness, dizziness, involuntary movements, insomnia, agitation, anxiety or weight gain.
Other possible effects are seizures, decreased appetite, lethargy, blurred vision, tachycardia, changes in blood pressure, dizziness or changes in blood count, for example.
Who should not take
Lurasidone is contraindicated in the presence of:
- Hypersensitivity to the active principle or to any of the tablet's excipients; Use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitory drugs, such as Boceprevir, Clarithromycin, Voriconazole, Indinavir, Itraconazole or Ketoconazole, for example; Use of strong CYP3A4 inducing drugs, such as Carbamazepine, Fenobarbital Phenytoin, Rifampicin or St. John's wort, for example.
Due to the interaction with the effect of these medications, the list of medications used must always be informed to the doctor who accompanies them.
Lurasidone should be used with caution by people with kidney disease or moderate to severe liver disease, Parkinson's disease, movement disorders, cardiovascular disease or other neurological diseases. In addition, this medication has not been tested in elderly patients with dementia or in children, so use should be avoided in these cases.
