When you decide to stop taking any prescription medication, your body and mind can undergo significant changes as they try to adjust. This is especially true when we look at psychiatric drugs like Latuda (lurasidone), which is often prescribed to treat conditions like schizophrenia and depression related to bipolar I. Abruptly stopping Latuda can cause a range of emotional and physical symptoms — referred to as withdrawal effects — which vary from person to person. As a result, experts warn against stopping any antipsychotic drug like Latuda without having a tapering plan in place.
There are several reasons why you might want to stop taking Latuda, including alleviating unwanted Latuda side effects, deciding to switch medications, or making a personal decision to quit treatment. While each of these reasons is valid, it’s still important to let your doctor or psychiatrist know about your decision so you can get their expert guidance.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about Latuda withdrawal, including symptoms, timelines, and how to discontinue the drug safely.
Latuda prescription online
Get an evaluation and prescription for Latuda from a psychiatric provider licensed in your state.
Can You Stop Taking Latuda Immediately?
No, you should not stop taking Latuda immediately or before talking to your doctor. Suddenly quitting a psychiatric medication like Latuda can cause withdrawal symptoms. Known as quitting “cold turkey,” quickly ceasing any drug increases the chance of experiencing physical and emotional effects. In some cases, there can be severe adverse effects.
If you’re considering stopping Latuda, talk to your doctor about using a tapering schedule. Gradually reducing your dosage helps minimize the potential risk of withdrawal and ensures a safer transition. Your doctor will also assess your current mental health needs to determine if you would benefit from a different dosage, medication, or treatment plan.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Latuda
Discontinuing Latuda can lead to a wide range of withdrawal symptoms that can vary from mild to extreme. Symptoms can manifest physically or emotionally and generally depend on factors like dosage, duration of use, comorbid conditions, and overall health and condition.
The long list of potential symptoms below shows how important it is to monitor your body and mood carefully as you come off Latuda.
Physical Latuda withdrawal symptoms:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Rapid heart rate
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns
- Muscle aches or weakness
- Excessive sweating
Emotional Latuda withdrawal symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Irritability or agitation
- Depressive feelings
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
How Long Does Latuda Withdrawal Last?
There’s no defined Latuda withdrawal timeline. How long someone might experience side effects or an adverse reaction while weaning off this drug can vary from person to person. Some people will experience symptoms for only a few days, and others might deal with the effects for weeks.
On average, Latuda withdrawal symptoms occur within a few days of discontinuation and will gradually subside over 1 – 2 weeks. Emotional symptoms, though, like mood swings or anxiety, might persist longer for some people.
Factors influencing the Latuda withdrawal timeline:
- Dosage: High doses of an antipsychotic typically need a longer tapering period and can extend Latuda withdrawal timelines.
- Length of use: People who’ve taken Latuda for long periods are more likely to experience an extended withdrawal period.
- Individual differences: Everything from metabolism to overall health to sensitivity to medication changes can play a significant role in withdrawal periods.
- Latuda interaction with other drugs: If the drug was used alongside other medications, drug interactions could influence withdrawal duration.
Managing Latuda Withdrawal Symptoms
Coping with Latuda withdrawal can be difficult, but there are some ways to ease the process and support your mental and physical health.
Practical tips to help manage symptoms of Latuda withdrawal:
- Taper gradually: Closely following your doctor’s tapering schedule will help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can flush toxins from your body and enable you to maintain energy levels.
- Prioritize sleep: To combat insomnia, practice good sleep hygiene, like keeping a consistent bedtime routine and avoiding screen time before bed.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Manage anxiety and mood swings by engaging in relaxation techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
- Eat a balanced diet: Nutrient-rich meals can help stabilize mood and energy levels.
- Stay active: Light exercise, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, can reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Seek support: Talking to friends, family, or a therapist about your experience can help you avoid feeling isolated.
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep a journal to track your physical and emotional changes. This can provide valuable insights for your doctor.
“Ginger and peppermint helps with nausea and vomiting that can occur with Latuda withdrawal.”
– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir, MD, DFAPA
How Do I Safely Come Off Latuda?
You can safely stop taking Latuda, but to do so, you’ll need to work with your doctor or psychiatrist. The process involves gradually tapering your dosage, which your doctor will tailor to your specific circumstances. Tapering lets your body adjust to the changes in medication levels to minimize withdrawal risks.
“Depending on the dose, tapering off of Latuda may happen over weeks.”
– Talkspace psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Munir, MD, DFAPA
Steps for safe discontinuation:
- Consult your doctor: Share with your doctor why you want to stop Latuda treatment and develop a personalized tapering schedule.
- Monitor symptoms: Pay close attention to any withdrawal symptoms you experience and report any severe or worsening effects to your doctor.
- Follow up: Schedule regular appointments and check in with your healthcare provider to ensure a smooth transition and adjust your plan if needed.
- Consider alternative treatments: If Latuda was prescribed for a mental health condition like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, it’s important to discuss other treatment options to help manage your symptoms. For example, you might consider therapy or Latuda alternatives.
Talk with a Licensed Psychiatrist
Latuda withdrawal can be a complex process, but getting professional guidance from a doctor or licensed psychiatrist can help you handle the transition safely. It also allows you to explore Latuda alternatives, like trying different medications, using various therapeutic approaches, or making healthy lifestyle changes. Whatever your reason for wanting to stop taking Latuda, prioritizing your mental health throughout the process is essential.
Talkspace connects you with licensed online psychiatrists, making mental healthcare help accessible and convenient. Whether you want to get a prescription for Latuda online, need a safe plan to discontinue Latuda, or are seeking support during the withdrawal process and beyond, Talkspace is here to help you.
Connect with an online Talkspace psychiatric provider today to receive personalized guidance and support for your mental health journey.
Sources:
- Horowitz MA, Jauhar S, Natesan S, Murray RM, Taylor D. A method for tapering antipsychotic treatment that may minimize the risk of relapse. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2021;47(4):1116-1129. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbab017. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8266572/. Accessed November 24, 2024.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.