Lura 20

Indications

Lurasidone is used for:

• Schizophrenia in adults (and in teenagers aged 13 and over in some countries).
• Depression in bipolar disorder (bipolar depression), alone or together with Lithium or Valproate.

How It Works

Lurasidone balances the activity of two brain messengers, dopamine and serotonin. This helps reduce hallucinations, confused thinking and low mood.

Dosage and Administration

Take once a day with a meal of at least about 350 calories, usually in the evening, because food is needed for it to be absorbed. Schizophrenia, adults: commonly starting at 40 mg once a day, adjusted by the doctor. Bipolar depression, adults: commonly starting at 20 mg once a day, adjusted by the doctor. Lower maximum doses are used in moderate or severe kidney or liver disease. Teenagers: as prescribed. Do not stop suddenly without medical advice.

Interactions

• Must not be taken with strong enzyme blockers such as Ketoconazole, Clarithromycin, Ritonavir and Voriconazole, or with strong enzyme inducers such as Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin and St John's wort.
• Diltiazem, Verapamil, Erythromycin and Fluconazole raise its levels; the doctor will lower the dose.
• Avoid grapefruit juice.
• Alcohol, sleeping tablets and other sedating medicines add to drowsiness.
• It can add to the effect of blood pressure medicines.

Contraindications

• Allergy to lurasidone.
• Use with the strong enzyme blockers or inducers listed above.

Side Effects

Common:

• Drowsiness, restlessness or an inner urge to keep moving (akathisia).
• Nausea, trouble sleeping and dizziness.
• Shaking, stiffness or slow movements.
• Rise in the hormone prolactin, which can affect periods or cause breast changes.

Get urgent medical help for high fever with stiff muscles, sweating and confusion; uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue or body; fainting or a fast or irregular heartbeat; a fit; signs of a severe allergic reaction; or any thoughts of harming yourself, especially early in treatment or after a dose change.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Use in pregnancy only if the doctor advises it. Babies exposed in late pregnancy can have shaking, stiffness, sleepiness or feeding problems after birth. Data on breastfeeding are limited; discuss it with the doctor.

Precautions and Warnings

• Older people with dementia have a higher risk of stroke and death with antipsychotic medicines; it is not approved for dementia-related behaviour.
• Weight, blood sugar and cholesterol should be checked regularly.
• It can cause dizziness on standing up and drowsiness; avoid driving until you know how it affects you.
• Use with care in epilepsy, heart disease, Parkinson's disease or low white cell counts.
• Avoid overheating and dehydration.

Overdose

Too much can cause severe drowsiness, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, abnormal movements or fits. Seek emergency medical help at once.

Therapeutic Class

Atypical (second-generation) antipsychotic.

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.