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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lurasidone (Latuda)?

Lurasidone is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Lurasidone may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to lurasidone, or if you are also using ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal) or rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate).

To make sure you can safely take lurasidone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;
• a history of heart attack or stroke;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;
• a history of breast cancer;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• personal or family history of diabetes (lurasidone may raise your blood sugar);
• a history of suicidal thoughts or actions;
• Parkinson's disease; or
• trouble swallowing.

Lurasidone may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking lurasidone.

FDA pregnancy category B. Lurasidone is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether lurasidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using lurasidone.

Do not give this medication to a child without medical advice.

How should I take lurasidone (Latuda)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Lurasidone should be taken with food (at least 350 calories).

Use lurasidone regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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