Latuda Long-Term Effects – Can You Avoid Them?

Alternative to Meds Editorial Team
Medically Reviewed by ATMC Clinical Review Team

What is Known about Latuda Long-term Effects

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

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.

for Help with Latuda Long-Term Effects

Sources:

1. FDA Drug Label Latuda (lurasidone hydrochloride) approval 2010</ [cited 2025 17 Oct]

2. Correll CU, Rubio JM, Kane JM. What is the risk-benefit ratio of long-term antipsychotic treatment in people with schizophrenia? World Psychiatry. 2018 Jun;17(2):149-160. doi: 10.1002/wps.20516. PMID: 29856543; PMCID: PMC5980517.[cited 2025 17 Oct]

3. Moncrieff J. Antipsychotic Maintenance Treatment: Time to Rethink? PLoS Med. 2015 Aug 4;12(8):e1001861. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001861. PMID: 26241954; PMCID: PMC4524699.[cited 2025 17 Oct]

4. Chouinard G, Jones BD. Neuroleptic-induced supersensitivity psychosis: clinical and pharmacologic characteristics. Am J Psychiatry. 1980 Jan;137(1):16-21. doi: 10.1176/ajp.137.1.16. PMID: 6101522. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

5. Moncrieff J. Why is it so difficult to stop psychiatric drug treatment? It may be nothing to do with the original problem. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):517-23. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2006.03.009. Epub 2006 Apr 24. PMID: 16632226. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

6. Sood S. Neutropenia with Multiple Antipsychotics Including Dose Dependent Neutropenia with Lurasidone. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2017 Nov 30;15(4):413-415. doi: 10.9758/cpn.2017.15.4.413. PMID: 29073755; PMCID: PMC5678486. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

7. Vasan S et al, Tardive Dyskinesia Stat Pearls Publishing 2025  [cited 2025 17 Oct]

8. Judge A, Dodd MS. Metabolism. Essays Biochem. 2020 Oct 8;64(4):607-647. doi: 10.1042/EBC20190041. PMID: 32830223; PMCID: PMC7545035. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

9. Akinola PS, Tardif I, Leclerc J. Antipsychotic-Induced Metabolic Syndrome: A Review. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2023 Aug;21(6):294-305. doi: 10.1089/met.2023.0003. Epub 2023 Jun 22. PMID: 37347965. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

10. Giangregorio, F., Mosconi, E., Debellis, M. G., Provini, S., Esposito, C., Garolfi, M., Oraka, S., Kaloudi, O., Mustafazade, G., Marín-Baselga, R., & Tung-Chen, Y. (2024). A Systematic Review of Metabolic Syndrome: Key Correlated Pathologies and Non-Invasive Diagnostic Approaches. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(19), 5880. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13195880 [cited 2025 17 Oct]

11. Harrow M, Jobe TH, Faull RN, Yang J. A 20-Year multi-followup longitudinal study assessing whether antipsychotic medications contribute to work functioning in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res. 2017 Oct;256:267-274. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.06.069. Epub 2017 Jun 22. PMID: 28651219; PMCID: PMC5661946. [cited 2025 17 Oct]

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:

ATMC Clinical Review Team

The ATMC Clinical Review Team includes licensed physicians and experienced healthcare professionals dedicated to ensuring the accuracy, quality, and integrity of our medical content. The team reviews articles for clinical accuracy, evidence-based guidance, and relevance while supporting Alternative to Meds Center’s whole-person approach to mental health, recovery, and long-term wellness.

Diane Ridaeus

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.