{"id":628897,"date":"2024-07-09T15:01:23","date_gmt":"2024-07-09T19:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628897"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:51:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:51:40","slug":"lithium-and-latuda-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/lithium-and-latuda-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it safe to take lithium and Latuda together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lithium<\/span><\/a> is a generic prescription drug <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><\/a> for people ages 7 years and older for the treatment and prevention of manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder—a mental health condition characterized by episodes of intense mood swings. It’s a relatively low-cost maintenance treatment that has been around for a long time, according to psychiatrist Sid Khurana, MD, the medical director and co-founder of <\/span>Nevada Mental Health<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Latuda<\/span><\/a> (lurasidone) is a brand-name <\/span>atypical antipsychotic<\/span><\/a> manufactured by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Latuda is <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> for the treatment of schizophrenia in people ages 13 years and older and for depressive episodes associated with bipolar 1 disorder (bipolar depression) in people ages 10 years and older as a monotherapy. Latuda can also be used as an adjunctive therapy in combination with lithium or valproate for bipolar depression. <\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take lithium and Latuda together?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, you can take lithium and Latuda together for bipolar depression. “They can complement each other well,” Dr. Khurana says. <\/span><\/p>\n

Results from a <\/span>clinical trial<\/span><\/a> published in <\/span>The American Journal of Psychiatry<\/span><\/i> suggest that taking lurasidone with lithium significantly improved depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder. Study participants took 20–60 milligrams (mg) of lurasidone daily in addition to their prescribed lithium dose. <\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>recent study<\/span><\/a> also found that the two medications were effective and well-tolerated when taken together. Data was pooled from two six-week studies in which patients with bipolar depression took 20–120 mg of lurasidone daily with their regularly prescribed lithium dose. <\/span><\/p>\n

Taking lithium and Latuda together<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are no known interactions between lithium and Latuda. Taking them together is considered generally safe when under the guidance of a licensed medical provider—usually a psychiatrist.<\/span><\/p>\n

“If someone is at the point where they need to take both Latuda and lithium, in my opinion, they should be under the case of a psychiatrist so that the psychiatrist could monitor the serotonin and some of the severe adverse effects of Latuda, like serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome,” Dr. Khurana explains. <\/span><\/p>\n

Both lithium and Latuda affect brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine. Changes in brain chemistry can sometimes trigger or worsen suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Alert a healthcare professional if someone taking lithium and Latuda together displays abnormal behaviors or experiences suicidal ideations.<\/span><\/p>\n

“When prescribed any medication, it’s always important to talk with your physician about the possible side effects as well as the expected results—and the timeframe for the expected results,” says <\/span>Carla Marie Manly, Ph.D.<\/span><\/a>, a clinical psychologist and author of <\/span>Joy from Fear<\/span><\/i>. She also recommends telling the pharmacist who fills your prescription that it is your first time taking lithium or Latuda, since pharmacists may point out important elements of a medication that a healthcare provider may overlook.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, the best practices for taking lithium and Latuda together are the same as the best practices for taking them individually:<\/span><\/p>\n