Latuda Tapering Guide
lurasidone
Boxed Warning
Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Suicidality risk in young adults during initial treatment for depression.
Overview
Lurasidone is an atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar depression. Lower metabolic burden than olanzapine or quetiapine but akathisia is common. Must be taken with food (≥350 calories) for adequate absorption.
20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg, 120mg tablets
Tablets: 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg, 120mg
Category B
Mechanism of Action
D2 antagonist; 5-HT2A antagonist; 5-HT7 antagonist; partial agonist at 5-HT1A. Lower H1 and muscarinic activity (less sedation, less anticholinergic burden).
Taper Notes
Slow taper, with food (absorption issues at very low doses). Watch for tardive symptoms unmasking on dose reduction.
Hyperbolic Tapering Guidance
Lurasidone has a more favorable metabolic profile than older atypicals, but the same tardive and discontinuation considerations apply.
Summary written by TaperCommunity, informed by the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (Horowitz & Taylor) and related literature — see Sources & References below. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maudsley.
Withdrawal Timeline
3-7 days after stopping
1-2 weeks
2-4 weeks
Tardive dyskinesia symptoms can emerge or worsen weeks-to-months after taper — and are sometimes permanent
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Interactions & Safety
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole) — contraindicated
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin) — contraindicated
- Grapefruit juice — increases exposure
Contraindications
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers
- Known hypersensitivity
Toxicity
Akathisia, somnolence, EPS, hyperprolactinemia, modest weight/metabolic changes (less than olanzapine/quetiapine), QT prolongation, neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Pharmacokinetics
ADME Profile
Hepatic via CYP3A4 (major).
~99%
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Other Drug Profiles
Sources & References
Latuda (lurasidone) information on this page is sourced from peer-reviewed research, regulatory bodies, clinical guidelines, and patient-advocacy organizations.
Encyclopedic & chemical databases
Neutral, high-authority entity references.
Regulatory sources
Official prescribing information and safety notices.
Peer-reviewed research
Primary literature cited in this taper guide.
- Horowitz MA, Jauhar S, Natesan S, Murray RM, Taylor D 2021 — A method for tapering antipsychotic treatment that may minimize the risk of relapse (Schizophrenia Bulletin)
- Tranter R, Healy D 1998 — Antipsychotic withdrawal symptoms: phenomenology and pathophysiology (Journal of Psychopharmacology)
- Davies J, Read J 2019 — A systematic review into the incidence, severity and duration of antidepressant withdrawal effects (Addictive Behaviors)
Clinical guidelines
Evidence-based deprescribing and prescribing standards.
Deprescribing-specific resources
Clinician-facing references on tapering protocols.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists — Antipsychotics — UK clinical guidance on antipsychotic prescribing and discontinuation
- Council for Evidence-Based Psychiatry (CEP UK) — Evidence-based critique of long-term antipsychotic prescribing
- Deprescribing.org — Antipsychotic deprescribing algorithm for insomnia and BPSD
Patient-advocacy & lived-experience
Long-running communities documenting withdrawal experience.
- Surviving Antidepressants — antipsychotic tapering forum — Community archive of antipsychotic taper experiences
- Mad in America — antipsychotic archive — Independent journalism on antipsychotics and withdrawal
- Inner Compass Initiative — Withdrawal Project — Peer-led psychiatric drug withdrawal resources
- RxISK — adverse drug reaction reporting — Independent database of antipsychotic adverse-effect reports
TaperCommunity does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified prescriber before adjusting psychiatric medication.