A prescription of Latuda long-term is common, and so is the burden of adverse reactions that develop over time. Safer, gentler options are available that work, but that don’t compromise health the way that drugs do.
Doctors cannot always differentiate drug side effects and symptoms of mental disorders, and may not know exactly how to help. This is our specialty. Read on for more information about ATMC’s approach to this problem.
Time to consider a gentler
approach to recovery?
We at ATMC are proud of our nearly 2 decades of documented high rates of success. The field of mental health has been compromised more than once by certain drug manufacturers’ deceptive marketing and research practices. ATMC seeks to remain true to facts and clinical observations, in support of those searching for mental wellness recovery. Read on to find out more about what is known about Latuda’s long term effects and additional information on holistic alternative treatment approaches to consider, that may be more suitable for long-term recovery, and improved quality of life.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Latuda, generic lurasidone, is an antipsychotic drug that the FDA approved in 2010 for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression. Like virtually all drugs in the antipsychotic class, the black box warning on the packaging tells prescribers not to prescribe the drug to elderly patients diagnosed with dementia-related psychosis, due to increased risk of death.1
Latuda also carries a black box warning for suicidality in children, teens and young adults. Suicidal ideation associated with Latuda was not flagged during initial drug trials, but became evident post-marketing.
In a mental health crisis, such as first-episode psychosis, prescription drugs are often used as an immediate intervention. It may well be, in certain circumstance, the correct chosen course of treatment. But for many who are prescribed Latuda long-term, efficacy has come under question, with some researchers proposing that the risks outweigh the benefits of long-term antipsychotic use. For a significant percentage of users, the long-term effects of Latuda and similar drugs are so intolerable, that they discontinue the drug within the first year of their prescription, which may be against their prescriber’s medical advise. Without strong support in place, the results of abrupt or unassisted discontinuation can be catastrophic.2-4
However, we are acutely aware that prescribers may not have the knowledge or expertise or confidence to assist in the process. So patients are encouraged to keep taking the drug, or sometimes left on their own to try and cope with stopping Latuda. These topics will be expanded more below, but first, let’s look at what research shows about the known long-term effects of Latuda.
Latuda long-term effects on the FDA label and from independent post-market research can include:
Brain volume reduction
Dopaminergic super-sensitivity psychosis
Suicidality
Cognitive decline
Wide range of movement disorders (see below)
Cardiac-related adverse effects on the heart and circulation
Metabolic changes
Weight gain in some, weight loss in others, compared to placebo
Compromised immune system (leukopenia, neutropenia)
Blood pressure dysregulation, syncope (fainting, dizziness on rising from sitting or laying position)
2X rate of deaths compared to placebo in elderly with dementia-related psychosis
Emotional flatness, numbness
Lethargy
According to the drug’s label, mostly short-term trials funded by the drugmaker were done before Latuda was approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar. More comprehensive data on long-term effects of Latuda has come from independent clinical observations and post-marketing research not funded by the drug company.
Side Effects of Latuda Reported in Short-Term Drug Trials
The following are the side effects from Latuda’s label citing a number of drug company funded clinical trials, mostly short-term. Of concern, no data is provided on the drug’s label whether these side effects persisted or became chronic after the trials were complete. In fact, some cases of movement disorders emerged after only a few days into the drug trial. Tragically, some movement disorders and other injuries can become irreversible over time.
Since prescribing guidelines encourage prescribing Latuda in combination with an antidepressant, or with another antipsychotic medication, some of these side effects may be more frequent with multiple drug prescriptions.1
Short-term side effects of Latuda listed on the drug’s label include:
Suicidality
Movement disorders, dystonia, seizures, akathisia, Parkinsonism, restlessness, up to 3-4 times placebo, even at low dosages
Psychomotor hyperactivity
Somnolence, fatigue
Back pain
Nausea, vomiting
Decreased appetite
Insomnia
Tachycardia
Agitation, anxiety
Weight gain
Metabolic/blood sugar dysregulation
Diarrhea
Falls
Elevated prolactin levels
Activation of mania/hypomania
Pain or difficulty swallowing
Blood pressure dysregulation, hypotension
Syncope (fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness after rising from a sitting or laying position)
Dry mouth
Hypersalivation (drooling)
Runny nose, nasal congestion
Viral infections, influenza
Abdominal pain, indigestion
Emotional numbness
Lack of motivation
Marijuana, THC & Psychosis
There is a well-documented prevalence of psychosis connected with marijuana and other cannabis products used recreationally. There are reasons why some persons experience a state of psychosis after marijuana use.12
Some persons opt to use recreational drugs or other types of stimulants while taking antipsychotics for a measure of relief or levity. But this can be catastrophic where dopamine has become dysregulated, especially when trying to lower the dose.
We recommended carefully studying the material presented in antipsychotic withdrawal and the videos presented here, to learn more about what to avoid and what to add to your daily regimen, and to help as you progress smoothly along in your recovery.
Movement Disorders Associated with Latuda
There are many forms of movement disorders that occur with antipsychotics like Latuda. Generally these become more prominent over time, and at higher doses. They are found more commonly in women than men, where 30% of women taking antipsychotics for a year or more will present with a movement disorder. Following is a list and expanded description of various types of movement disorders caused by long-term antipsychotics like Latuda.5-10
Tardive Dyskinesias
Tardive means appearing late, or developing in late stages. Dyskinesia means interfering with, or impairing voluntary muscle movements.
Tardive dyskinesia, or TD is an umbrella term. TD includes many types of medication-induced movement disorders associated with long-term use of antipsychotics, that can persist after discontinuation or change in medication. Although “tardive” implies appearing late, cases of dystonia were reported a few days after starting Latuda in early clinical trials.
TD as a classification actually includes many types of movement disorders. Examples include akathisia, chorea, dystonia, tics, buccolingual stereotypy, and other kinds of movement disorders. These will be described below.
Akathisia – a movement disorder characterized by a severe internal restlessness, coupled with a compulsion to keep the body in motion. The condition can look like pacing, rocking, marching, or similar repetitive motions. Akathisia feels acutely disturbing, can cause high anxiety and distress, and persons suffering with akathisia describe it as wanting to jump out of one’s skin.
Chorea – Involuntary motions that are described as “dance-like,” brief and random unpredictable motions, sometimes described as restless fidgeting. Chorea can be accompanied by mood swings and feelings of distress.
Dystonia – Sustained involuntary twisting of the body, cramping and muscle contractions that persist and can be painful. Dystonia can look like odd postures and involuntary spams that can be mild or severe. Examples might include rapid repetitive blinking, cramping of the foot, tremors in the hand.
Buccolingual stereotypy – (stereotypy means repetitive motions, buccolingual refers to the tongue and cheek) Motions affecting the mouth, jaw, tongue, facial areas. It may look like smacking the lips, sticking out or rolling the tongue, puffing out of the cheeks, grimacing, and other uncontrollable muscle movements in these areas around the mouth.
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism is associated with long-term antipsychotics like Latuda. The condition resembles Parkinson’s disease, which is described as a disease where dopaminergic neurons are dying off which blocks dopamine getting to the brain.
Parkinsonism is a drug-induced condition where dopamine transmitters are suppressed, blocking dopamine to the brain.
The symptoms are similar, including tremors, slow or shuffling walk, muscle stiffness, hallucination, dementia, and others. (dementia means memory loss, cognitive skill loss, and behavioral or personality changes).
Leukopenia, Neutropenia
Leukopenia is a health condition where too few white blood cells (leukocytes) are in the blood. Neutropenia is a similar condition where too few of a specific type of white blood cell called neutrophils are present. Both leukocytes and neutrophils are responsible for a health and functioning immune system. This means a person would be more prone to infections, because the immune cells are missing that would normally be there to fight off infections and pathogens.6
Metabolic Dysregulation and Long-Term Antipsychotics
The purpose of metabolism is to sustain life in the human body. Metabolism is our physiological chemistry, our internal chemistry lab. Metabolism entails breaking down food, water, and oxygen via chemical reactions, to make and manage the distribution of energy throughout the body so that each cell, organ, and system can properly function. Stay alive in other words.
Dysregulation means broken.
Research has determined that between 37% and 63% of patients medicated with antipsychotics experience metabolic syndrome. In taking Latuda long-term metabolic dysregulation can cause specific health concerns. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in persons with metabolic dysregulation.8-10
Metabolic dysregulation associated with long-term Latuda can include:
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes
Increased risk for cardiovascular diseases
increased risk of liver or other internal organ damage
Obesity
High blood pressure
Insulin resistance
Chronic inflammation
ATMC’s Approach to Medication Reduction and Discontinuation after Long-Term Latuda
Antipsychotics are understood to work by suppression of dopamine and other natural hormones/neurotransmitters and their receptors. However, as mentioned in several topics above, the suppression of dopamine (and possible other neurotransmitters) for a very long time can have serious adverse health effects.
It can be disheartening in treating major mental health concerns like schizophrenia and depression in bipolar to be faced with a “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” approach to traditional treatment.
Over the past nearly 2 decades, ATMC has developed new approaches to the problem. Not everyone may be able to completely discontinue taking antipsychotic medication such as Latuda, taken long-term, and still keep original symptoms well in check. But we have found a significant percentage of our clients who actually can reduce dosage quite substantially, or even entirely, and with strong supports in place, can successfully attain more energy, more zest, and regain a much more satisfying quality of life without a heavy burden of medication side effects.
As mentioned in Lyle’s video above, a study by Harrow showed that after 2 years of treatment with antipsychotic medications, persons who continued taking antipsychotics had a 6 times greater chance of being re-hospitalized compared to those who safely and gradually tapered off the medication.11
Our approach entails education, neurotoxin removal, diet correction, exercise, counseling, and many other holistic and proven methods of recovery. Each person’s case is unique and their approach to treatment must also be uniquely tailored for the best possible outcome. Please visit our services overview pages to find out more about specific protocols and the science behind them, that are offered at ATMC.
Please call us for more information to see if our gentle approach to better mental wellness is what you or your loved one has been looking for, especially after long-term Latuda or other medication treatment. We are here to help.
12. Hasan A, von Keller R, Friemel CM, Hall W, Schneider M, Koethe D, Leweke FM, Strube W, Hoch E. Cannabis use and psychosis: a review of reviews. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;270(4):403-412. doi: 10.1007/s00406-019-01068-z. Epub 2019 Sep 28. PMID: 31563981. [cited 2025 17 Oct]
Originally Published October 17, 2025 by Diane Ridaeus
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Samuel Lee
Dr. Samuel Lee is a board-certified psychiatrist, specializing in a spiritually-based mental health discipline and integrative approaches. He graduated with an MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and did a residency in psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He has also been an inpatient adult psychiatrist at Kaweah Delta Mental Health Hospital and the primary attending geriatric psychiatrist at the Auerbach Inpatient Psychiatric Jewish Home Hospital. In addition, he served as the general adult outpatient psychiatrist at Kaiser Permanente. He is board-certified in psychiatry and neurology and has a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in Religion from Pacific Union College. His specialty is in natural healing techniques that promote the body’s innate ability to heal itself.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
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Latuda also carries a black box warning for suicidality in children, teens and young adults. Suicidal ideation associated with Latuda was not flagged during initial drug trials, but became evident post-marketing.
Brain volume reduction
Akathisia
The purpose of metabolism is to sustain life in the human body. Metabolism is our physiological chemistry, our internal chemistry lab. Metabolism entails breaking down food, water, and oxygen via chemical reactions, to make and manage the distribution of energy throughout the body so that each cell, organ, and system can properly function. Stay alive in other words.
