Latuda vs. Eskalith

• Are Latuda and Eskalith the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Latuda?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Eskalith?
• What Is Latuda?
• What Is Eskalith?
• What drugs interact with Latuda?
• What drugs interact with Eskalith?
• How Should Latuda Be Taken?
• How Should Eskalith Be Taken?

Latuda (lurasidone hydrochloride) and Eskaltih (lithium) are used to treat different types of mental illness.

Latuda is used to treat schizophrenia.

Eskaltih is used to treat manic episodes due to bipolar disorder. Eskaltih is also combined with other antidepressants to treat depression.

Latuda and Eskaltih belong to different drug classes. Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic and Eskaltih is an antimanic agent.

Side effects of Latuda and Eskaltih that are similar include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, loss of appetite, weight gain, decreased sex drive, or impotence.

Side effects of Latuda that are different from Eskaltih include drowsiness, dizziness, shaking, muscle stiffness, mask-like facial expression, inability to keep still, restlessness, agitation, blurred vision, breast swelling or discharge, missed menstrual periods, or difficulty having an

orgasm.

Side effects of Eskaltih that are different from Latuda include mild hand tremor, weakness, lack of coordination, dry mouth, changes in taste, increased thirst, increased frequency of urination, vomiting, thinning or drying hair, itching skin, and kidney abnormalities.

Both Latuda and Eskaltih may interact with antidepressants or narcotics.

Latuda may also interact with diltiazem, azole antifungals, HIV drugs, antibiotics, rifamycins, or other products that cause dizziness or drowsiness, including alcohol, antihistamines, drugs for sleep or anxiety, or muscle relaxants.

Eskaltih may also interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors, methyldopa, buspirone, St. John's wort, tramadol, "triptan" migraine headache medicines, tryptophan, antipsychotic medications, or MAO inhibitors.

Side effects of Latuda include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• shaking,
• muscle stiffness,
• weight gain,
• mask-like facial expression,
• inability to keep still,
• restlessness,
• agitation,
• blurred vision,
• breast swelling or discharge,
• missed menstrual periods,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Tell your doctor right if you experience serious side effects of Latuda including:

• drooling,
• trouble swallowing,
• fainting,
• signs of infection (such as persistent cough, fever)
• fast or uneven or pounding heartbeats;
• agitation, hostility, confusion, thoughts about hurting yourself,
• seizures (convulsions),
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms,
• sores in your mouth and throat,
• high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss),
• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors, feeling like you might pass out, or
• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs.

Common side effects of Eskalith include:

• mild hand tremor,
• weakness,
• lack of coordination,
• dry mouth,
• altered taste perception,
• weight gain,
• increased thirst,
• increased frequency of urination,
• mild nausea or vomiting,
• loss of appetite,
• stomach pain or upset,
• impotence,
• decreased libido,
• diarrhea,
• thinning or drying of the hair,
• itching skin, and
• kidney abnormalities.

Latuda (lurasidone hydrochloride) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.

Eskaltih (lithium) is an antimanic agent used for treating manic episodes due to bipolar disorder. Eskaltih is also combined with antidepressants to treat depression. Generic formulations of Eskaltih are available.

Latuda may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), antibiotics, antifungal medications, or medications to treat HIV or AIDS.

Latuda may also interact with diltiazem or rifamycins.

Lithium interacts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors, and methyldopa. Eskaltih can cause harm to a fetus. Do not use Eskaltih without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment with Eskaltih. Talk to your doctor about using birth control while you are taking Eskaltih. Eskaltih can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended starting dose of Latuda is 40 mg once dxily, and it has been shown to be effective in a dose range of 40 mg/day to 160 mg/day.

Lithium doses vary widely and are adjusted based on measurements of the levels of lithium in the blood. Most patients require 900-1200 mg daily in 2-3 divided doses.