Latuda Withdrawal: Pros & Cons
Safe, gradual Latuda withdrawal may be a good choice for someone whose acute mental health crisis has passed. Latuda, generic lurasidone, may have been prescribed for a variety of reasons, such as depression, psychosis, schizophrenia-related, or other symptoms. This context is an important factor to consider. In many young persons, drug-induced psychosis is common with cannabis, cocaine, LSD, or other recreational drug use. 
Latuda may have been prescribed to treat this condition as it has a good safety profile for adolescents, but it is a relatively new medication, and researchers are still studying long-term effects of lurasidone and many other antipsychotics.4,5
If one is suffering from on-going sleep dysregulation, extreme mood swings, disturbed or disorganized thoughts, not eating properly, or other red flags, then this would most likely not be the best time to begin tapering. Other protocols could be employed to stabilize out such things first. Once these concerns have been addressed and improved, that would be a much better launch point for tapering.
But where a critical period has passed, and a person has stabilized somewhat, i.e., is no longer in acute mania or psychosis, is sleeping and eating well, and not experiencing irrational behaviors or mood swings, this would be a more opportune time to consider Latuda withdrawal. Once an antipsychotic drug has been successfully withdrawn, or at least reduced, a person can experience a resurgence in many positive aspects of life. For some, according to clinical studies, 40% of those taking antipsychotic drugs can expect to successfully eliminate the drug entirely, via gradual tapering.1
Some persons may do better to gradually reduce the drug dosage, but ultimately remain on a very low maintenance dose and in this way, they can still experience greatly improved quality of life. Working with caregivers who are familiar with these nuances of Latuda withdrawal can help design the optimum route for personal success.
With that said, there are a number of commonly experienced withdrawal symptoms that one should be aware of if considering coming off Latuda.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Latuda in Relation to Neurotransmitter Dysregulation
Antipsychotic medications are largely thought to restrict dopamine expression, but can affect many other types of neurotransmitters as well. Research by Horowitz, Keks, Hope, and others have concluded that the characteristics of antipsychotic drug withdrawal may be traced to the transmitters that have been affected.1-3 These can be loosely categorized according to the drug’s effects on dopamine, choline, serotonin, histamine, adrenaline, and others. While more research is continuing, some examples have been tabulated below, which may help to explain, or at least simplify, why these reactions occur.
Dopaminergic Latuda withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Dyskinesias (drug-induced movement disorders, often irreversible) 10
- Parkinson-type symptoms (symptoms that mimic Parkinson’s, i.e., muscle rigidity, tremors, impaired gait, or posture, etc.) 7
- Akathisia (intense internal restlessness, compulsion to move, rock, pace, etc.) 9
- NMS (neuroleptic malignant syndrome) associated with antipsychotic medications, causing fever, rigid muscles, tremors, rapid heartbeat, trouble swallowing, mental dysregulation, abnormal blood pressure, rapid breathing, and others 6
- Rebound psychosis, mania, exaggerated emotions including sense of reward
Serotonergic Latuda withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, confusion, chills, sweating
- Brain zaps
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Low mood
- Tachycardia (elevated heart rate, abnormally fast heart beat) 8
Histaminergic Latuda withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Low mood, depression
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Tremors
- Amnesia
Cholinergic Latuda withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Hallucinations
- Fear, confusion, disorientation
- Hypothermia (body temperature drops below normal) 11
- Sweating
- Insomnia
- Lightheadedness
- Agitation, anxiety
- Depression
- Muscle soreness
- Diarrhea, abdominal cramps
Adrenergic Latuda withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Headache
- Heart palpitations (abnormal fluttering or pounding sensation of the heart)
- Tachycardia (elevated heart rate when the body is at rest)
- Hypertension (when blood pressure is very high, too much pressure is exerted on the artery/vessel walls) 12
- Angina (pain in the heart from reduced blood flow) 13
- Risk of heart attack
- Tremulousness (shaking or quivering)
Begin the taper when you are sleeping well and eating well, and not experiencing major symptoms
We understand that an individual is carefully considering many various options of treatment, and may still have questions about the process and methods used at Alternative to Meds Center. Please feel free to contact us directly and we will make sure we answer all your questions to your satisfaction.
