Monday, November 1, 2010

WHAT IS LATUDA

Important information about Latuda


Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis (a severe mental health problem) taking atypical


antipsychotic drugs, including Latuda, are at an increased risk for death compared with those


taking placebo (sugar tablet). Latuda is not approved for the treatment of people with


dementia-related psychosis (see BOXED WARNING). An increased risk for stroke and ministroke has


been reported in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis.



Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): NMS is a rare and potentially fatal side effect reported


with Latuda and similar medicines. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have high


fever; stiff muscles; confusion; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; sweating; or


muscle pain and weakness. Treatment should be stopped if you have NMS.



Tardive dyskinesia (TD): TD is a serious and sometimes permanent side effect reported with


Latuda and similar medicines. TD includes uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, and


other parts of the body. The risk for developing TD and the chance that it will become


permanent is thought to increase the longer a person takes the medicine and the more medicine a


person takes over time. TD can develop after a person has been taking the medicine for a short


time at low doses, although this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but


it may go away partially or completely if the person stops taking the medicine.



High blood sugar: High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Latuda. In studies,


most people taking Latuda had no problems with their blood sugar. If you have diabetes or risk


factors for diabetes, such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, your blood


sugar should be tested at the beginning of and throughout treatment with Latuda. Complications


of diabetes can be serious and even life threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you have


blood sugar problems or signs of diabetes, such as being thirsty all the time, going to the


bathroom a lot, or feeling weak or hungry.



Weight gain: Some patients may gain weight while taking Latuda. Your healthcare provider should


check your weight regularly. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to help control your


weight, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising.



Additional Important Warnings

Light-headedness or faintness caused by a sudden change in heart rate and blood pressure when


rising quickly from a sitting position has been reported with Latuda.

Low white blood cell counts and related conditions have been reported with Latuda and similar


medicines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or had low white blood cell counts.

Latuda and medicines like it may raise the levels of prolactin. Tell your healthcare provider


if you experience a lack of menstrual periods, leaking or enlarged breasts, or impotence.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have a seizure disorder, have had seizures in the past, or


have conditions that increase your risk for seizures.

Tell your healthcare provider if you experience prolonged, abnormal muscle spasm or


contraction, which may be signs of a condition called dystonia.

Latuda can affect your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You should not drive or operate


hazardous machinery until you know how Latuda affects you.

Latuda may make you more sensitive to heat. You may have trouble cooling off. Be careful when


exercising or when doing things likely to cause dehydration or make you warm.

The symptoms of schizophrenia may include thoughts of suicide or of hurting yourself or others.


If you have these thoughts at any time, tell your healthcare provider or go to an emergency


room right away.

Latuda and medicines like it have been associated with swallowing problems. If you have had or


have swallowing problems, you should tell your healthcare provider.

Pregnancy: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you are planning to get


pregnant while taking Latuda. Breast feeding is not recommended during treatment with Latuda.



Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are


taking or plan to take, since there are some risks for drug interactions with Latuda. Do not


drink alcohol while taking Latuda.



In people with schizophrenia, the most common side effects that occurred with Latuda were


sleepiness, an inner sense of restlessness or need to move (akathisia), uncontrolled movements


of the body and face (parkinsonism), upset stomach, and agitation.



This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing


Information for prescription Latuda with your doctor.



You are encouraged to report me gurbinder.sharma@gmail.com



How should I take Latuda?

Take Latuda 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.



Latuda should be taken with food.



Take Latuda 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 Latuda at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.



What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for


your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.



What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.



Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, and


restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck.



What should I avoid while taking Latuda?

While you are taking Latuda, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot


or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty


of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously


overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Latuda.



Latuda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you


drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can


increase some of the side effects of Latuda.







Latuda side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives;


difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Latuda and


call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:



fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

tremor (uncontrolled shaking);

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

trouble swallowing; or

feeling light-headed, fainting.

increased thirst or urination, weakness

Less serious Latuda side effects may include:



mild restlessness,agitiation, drowsiness, or tremor;

sleepiness, dreaming more than usual;

blurred vision;

abdominal pain;

dizziness or headache;

weight gain;

problems with urination;

nausea, diarrhea;

decreased appetite;

excessive salivation;

rash or itching

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical


advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.



Latuda Dosing Information

The recommended starting dose of Latuda is 40 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 80


mg once daily. Latuda should be taken with food.



What other drugs will affect Latuda?

Before you take Latuda, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you


sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle


relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused


by Latuda.



Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:



ketoconazole (Nizoral);

diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Risperdal. Tell your doctor about


all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal


products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.



Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Latuda.





gurbinder



My MedNotes



Get Updates by Email

Email me: gurbinder.sharma@gmail.com



Latuda side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives;


difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Latuda and


call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:



fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

tremor (uncontrolled shaking);

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

trouble swallowing; or

feeling light-headed, fainting.

increased thirst or urination, weakness

Less serious Latuda side effects may include:



mild restlessness,agitiation, drowsiness, or tremor;

sleepiness, dreaming more than usual;

blurred vision;

abdominal pain;

dizziness or headache;

weight gain;

problems with urination;

nausea, diarrhea;

decreased appetite;

excessive salivation;

rash or itching

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical


advice about side effects. You may report side effects to http://cchrint.org


Latuda Dosing Information

The recommended starting dose of Latuda is 40 mg once daily. The maximum recommended dose is 80


mg once daily. Latuda should be taken with food.



What other drugs will affect Latuda?

Before you take Latuda, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you


sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle


relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused


by Latuda.



Also tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:



ketoconazole (Nizoral);

diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater); These drugs are for TB patient as well HIV /AIDS

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Risperdal. Tell your doctor about


all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal


products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.



Where can I get more information?

www.cchrint.org

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Latuda.