Latuda And Parkinson’s Disease

Vertex Pharmas Nonopioid Painkiller Shows Promise In Second Phase 2 Study

Vertex Pharma in February reported positive data from a phase 2 study of its analgesic drug VX-150, a sodium channel blocker that may offer a nonaddictive alternative to opioid painkillers.

The study involved 243 patients who were randomly assigned to VX-150, hydrocodone plus acetaminophen, or placebo for two days following bunionectomy surgery. VX-150 outperformed placebo in alleviating pain at both 24 and 48 hours. The drug also seemed to perform as well as hydrocodone plus acetaminophen, although the study was not statistically powered to make a direct comparison between the two active arms. VX-150 was generally well tolerated. There were no serious adverse events in any arm of the study, and no discontinuations due to adverse events.

VX-150 had previously produced positive pain relief results in a phase 2 trial involving patients with chronic osteoarthritis pain. A third phase 2 study of VX-150 for treating neuropathic pain is currently under way.

Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors In Children And Young Adults

Latuda has a boxed warning for suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Drugs used to treat depression can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults. This includes thoughts of dying or wanting to take your own life.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can also lead to other changes in mood. These are discussed in the Changes in mood section directly below.

What might help

If you have any suicidal thoughts or behaviors while taking Latuda, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Suicide prevention

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

• Stay with the person until help arrives.
• Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
• Listen, but dont judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Could I Experience Hair Loss During Latuda Treatment

Yes, under certain conditions, you may experience hair loss while using Latuda. But this side effect wasnt reported in studies of the drug.

Hair loss is a possible side effect of other mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder. When used for bipolar depression in adults, Latuda may be prescribed along with the mood stabilizers lithium or valproate. And hair loss is a common side effect of these drugs.

So if you use Latuda with lithium or valproate, you may notice hair loss. But its likely that this side effect is caused by lithium or valproate, not Latuda.

If youre concerned about hair loss while using Latuda, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects Latuda may cause.

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Is Latuda A Narcotic

No, Latuda isnt a narcotic. Latuda is in a class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics.

A narcotic is a kind of strong pain reliever thats also known as an opioid. An atypical antipsychotic is a type of drug called a mood stabilizer, which helps treat shifts in mood.

Mood stabilizers that were first created in the 1960s are known as first-generation mood stabilizers. Mood stabilizers that were created in the 1990s are known as second-generation mood stabilizers.

Latuda And Other Medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Latuda. This list doesnt contain all drugs that may interact with Latuda.

Before taking Latuda, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Latuda and certain medications that affect how your body breaks down Latuda

You shouldnt take Latuda with certain drugs that affect how your body metabolizes Latuda.

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors are a type of drug that works by inhibiting an enzyme in your body called CYP3A4. This is the enzyme your body uses to break down Latuda. Blocking CYP3A4 can raise the level of Latuda in your blood, increasing your risk for side effects.

The following drugs are examples of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors:

If you use any of these drugs, talk with your doctor before taking Latuda. They may adjust your doses or recommend other medications.

Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors

Taking Latuda with drugs called moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors can raise the level of Latuda in your blood, increasing your risk for side effects.

The following drugs are examples of moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors:

Strong CYP3A4 inducers

The following drugs are examples of strong CYP3A4 inducers:

Moderate CYP3A4 inducers

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Fda Approves Osmoticas Extended

In February, the FDA approved Osmotica Pharmaceuticals extended-release amantadine formulation for the treatment of both Parkinsons disease and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms in adults.

Osmolex ER will be available in three once-daily dosage options: 129 mg, 193 mg, and 258 mg tablets, with a maximum daily dose of 322 mg.

Can Latuda Cause Hair Loss

No, its unlikely. Hair loss wasnt reported in clinical trials of Latuda.

Hair loss is a rare side effect of certain other antipsychotic drugs taken for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Examples include Zyprexa and Risperdal . This side effect is also common with certain other medications taken to treat bipolar disorder. Examples of these include Lithobid , Depakote , and valproate.

If you have hair loss while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whats causing the hair loss.

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Latuda Interactions With Food

Latuda can interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. In fact, doctors will typically recommend avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice while youre taking Latuda.

Latuda is removed from your body by an enzyme called CYP3A4. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can prevent this enzyme from working properly. As a result, the level of Latuda can build up in your system, possibly increasing your risk of side effects.

If you have questions about what foods and drinks you can have with Latuda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Latuda Cause Weight Loss

Latuda will probably not cause weight loss. Some people who take Latuda actually gain weight. For more information on weight gain during Latuda treatment, see Weight gain in the Side effect details section above.

If youre interested in losing weight, talk with your doctor. They can review your diet and exercise routine.

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Parkinsonism Vs Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsonism refers to a cluster of symptoms that mimic the movement problems caused by Parkinsons disease. Its sometimes referred to as atypical Parkinsons disease, secondary parkinsonism, or Parkinsons plus.

Parkinsons disease is a chronic, neurodegenerative brain disorder. In addition to problems with movement, Parkinsons disease causes non-motor symptoms that arent caused by drug-induced parkinsonism. They include:

Another key difference between drug-induced parkinsonism and Parkinsons disease is symmetry. Drug-induced parkinsonism usually affects both sides of the body equally. Parkinsons disease affects one side of the body more than the other.

Parkinsonism can be caused by medications, repeated head trauma, and environmental toxins. It can also be caused by neurological disorders, including Parkinsons disease. Other neurological conditions that cause parkinsonism include:

• progressive supranuclear palsy

These medications dont cause resting tremors. Rather, they cause:

• Action tremors. These occur in a body part thats moving, not a body part thats resting.
• Postural tremors. These occur when a body part is forced to withstand gravity, such as when arms are outstretched or legs are raised.

How Can I Manage The Risk Of Tardive Dyskinesia

You can help manage the risk by addressing lifestyle factors that increase the potential to develop TD. The risk of developing TD rises with:

• Uncontrolled diabetes

Proactively taking care of your health by quitting smoking, avoiding substance use and managing blood sugar levels can be protective and reduce the risk of symptom onset.

Other steps you can take to help manage the risk include asking your health care provider for routine screening of movement symptoms. Recognizing the symptoms of TD early can help lessen their severity, so these screenings should occur every three months.

You can also ask your provider to review your current medications and discuss options. Although it can still occur, rates of TD appear to be lower with second-generation antipsychotic medications. Long-term use of antipsychotic medication to treat a chronic mental health condition is usually still necessary, but safely adjusting or changing medication may be an effective option.

Examples of antipsychotic medications:

First-generation or older antipsychotics:	Second-generation or newer atypical antipsychotics:

Its important to work with your treatment team to make informed choices about medications and the best way to manage all your health conditions.

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Dopamine Agonists And Agents For Enhancing Dopamine Activity

Regarding bipolar disorder, we found only one clinical trial on a dopamine agonist that increases dopamine activity for cognition enhancement. An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 35 euthymic patients subgroup with bipolar disorder demonstrated a significant improvement by treatment with pramipexole, an agonist for the D2, D3, and D4 dopamine receptors, in terms of the WAIS Digits Backward and Stroop Color Word tests . Due to the small sample and the short duration in this study, the evidence of dopamine agonists for cognitive enhancement in patients with bipolar disorder is limited.

Due to the limited clinical trials on the medications of dopamine activity enhancement found in our search, further well-designed clinical trials on dopamine-related medications, especially D1 and D3 agonists, for cognitive enhancement are still needed.

Does Latuda Cause Memory Loss

No, Latuda isnt known to cause memory loss. This side effect wasnt reported in studies of the drug.

But memory loss is a symptom of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia . So its possible you may experience memory loss while using Latuda to treat these conditions. But this is more likely to be a symptom of these conditions than a side effect of the drug itself.

If you experience memory loss while taking Latuda, talk with your doctor. They can discuss your symptoms and help determine if Latuda is right for you.

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Financial And Insurance Assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Latuda, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., the manufacturer of Latuda, offers the Latuda Copay Savings Program. For more information and to find out if youre eligible for support, call 855-5LATUDA or visit the program website.

More Common Side Effects Of Latuda

Latuda can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Latuda in clinical trials:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Latuda and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see Side effect specifics below.

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A Place For Those Affected By Tardive Dyskinesia To Learn Share And Find Inspiration Together

One in four people taking mental health medications may be affected by the uncontrollable movements of TD.1

Read about the real-life experiences of tardive dyskinesia patients and carepartners, from recognizing uncontrollable movements, to the daily impact of TD, and the moment they decided to talk to their doctors about managing the movements.

Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that causes a range of repetitive muscle movements in the face, neck, arms and legs. TD symptoms are beyond a persons control. These symptoms can make routine physical functioning difficult, significantly affecting quality of life.

Although sometimes associated with conditions such as schizophrenia, TD primarily occurs as a side effect of long-term use of certain medications. It can become a permanent condition even after a person stops taking the medication.

Symptoms of TD can include:

• Jerking hand and leg movements
• Difficulty swallowing
• Eye blinking and grimacing
• Lip smacking and involuntary tongue movements

TD symptoms typically occur after several years of taking antipsychotic medications, although they can emerge within just a few months. TD is also related to prolonged use of medications for nausea, and medications that treat neurological disorders, such as Parkinsons disease.

Anyone taking an antipsychotic may develop TD, but the risk of TD can be higher for certain people:

• Those with a family history of TD
• Having negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• People of African descent

How Should I Take Latuda

Take Latuda exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Latuda should be taken with food .

You may need frequent blood tests.

It may take several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Latuda.

You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Stopping suddenly may cause other problems.

It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Latuda. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. You may also be more sensitive to temperature extremes .

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What Side Effects May I Notice From Receiving This Medication

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• elevated mood, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior
• fever or chills, sore throat
• inability to keep still
• males: prolonged or painful erection
• problems with balance, talking, walking
• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision
• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness feeling faint or lightheaded, falls unusually weak or tired
• signs and symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome like confusion fast or irregular heartbeat high fever increased sweating stiff muscles
• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg
• suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
• trouble swallowing
• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention :

Risk Of Death In Older Adults With Psychosis Related To Dementia

Latuda has a boxed warning for the risk of death in older adults with psychosis related to dementia. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration .

Latuda shouldnt be used to treat psychosis related to dementia in older adults. Psychosis is a mental health condition that can cause delusions and hallucinations. And dementia is a condition that affects communication, thinking, and memory.

Antipsychotic drugs such as Latuda can raise the risk of death and stroke when used to treat psychosis related to dementia in older people.

Symptoms of stroke can include:

• facial, arm, or leg weakness on one side of your body
• trouble walking, speaking, or seeing

What might help

If you have symptoms of stroke while taking Latuda, tell your doctor right away.

But you shouldnt take Latuda if youre an older adult with psychosis related to dementia. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options that may be a better fit for you.

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Can Latuda Cause Sexual Dysfunction

Yes. Males* who take Latuda may have erectile dysfunction . This can be caused by a condition called hyperprolactinemia in which you have a high level of the hormone prolactin. Hyperprolactinemia is a possible side effect of Latuda. For more about possible side effects, see the Latuda side effects section above.

As for females,* there were no reports of Latuda causing sexual dysfunction in clinical trials. But its important to note that an elevated level of prolactin might be a possible cause of sexual dysfunction in females. Its thought that a high level of prolactin decreases vaginal secretions and lubrication in females, causing sexual dysfunction.

Talk with your doctor if youre concerned about sexual dysfunction while taking Latuda. They may be able to suggest ways to help ease the condition.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms male and female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Important Information About All Medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

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