Latuda and Anxiety: What Users Say

• shu...
• June 1, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder pretty young, and have been having voices and intense paranoia since I was 13. I didn't get proper treatment for it until I was 18 (teenage stupidity, and all that), and now I am on 120 mg of Latuda, 500 mg of Lamictal, and 900 mg of gabapentin, and I finally feel some relief. I don't have voices anymore. I don't feel scared to go to bed because I think someone is going to kill me. I finally think that I'm a real person. This medication is a literal lifesaver. I have taken many antipsychotics, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Risperdal, and Abilify, as well as half a dozen antidepressants since I was a little kid, nothing has worked. I do not care though, as I finally can think clearly for the first time in my life. I have had some problems with anxiety during taking this med, but I was diagnosed with panic disorder + generalized anxiety disorder long ago. I have not experienced any negative side effects and I have gained no weight. In fact, I have lost 60 lbs."

• Nic...
• May 5, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking 20 mg for a couple of weeks now. I went into menopause, and I already have been diagnosed with bipolar depression for most of my life. Racing thoughts, anxiety, paranoia, feelings of absolute despair. I get angry easily and have been fired from a few jobs because I shoot my mouth off and become defensive. I cry and hide in bed. I feel like I wish I never existed at all or I wish I was dead. I wake up with such a sense of dread every morning. So... since starting on it, I still get really angry and will still lash out, but I notice it's not as much. The racing thoughts are going away, and that need to worry about the future and all of the bad things that will happen to me has subsided a lot. It's not a hugely significant amount, but yes, I do feel a little brighter. My mind is a little calmer. The pit in my stomach has loosened just a little. Hopefully, as I keep taking it, my results will be better. It's definitely not made things any worse. I'd try it."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This has been a miracle! I went from avoiding everyone and everything, even cleaning or talking to friends. I've started doing everything around the house. I've been able to stand up for myself. I'm happy every day. Gone are the 'I'm having a bad day'. Only drawback: first 3 weeks I had to take it at bedtime because I was very nervous and jittery. That subsided, no problems with stomach, have not lost any weight, but I'm much more active. Like night and day difference. I'm so happy."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This has been a miracle! I went from avoiding everyone and everything, even cleaning or talking to friends. I've started doing everything around the house. I've been able to stand up for myself. I'm happy every day. Gone are the 'I'm having a bad day'. Only drawback: first 3 weeks I had to take it at bedtime because I was very nervous and jittery. That subsided, no problems with stomach, have not lost any weight, but I'm much more active. Like night and day difference. I'm so happy."

• abe...
• August 18, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I am in month 2 of taking Latuda. I have bipolar with psychotic features. When I started Latuda, it was bad. I was sleeping all day and night. Then it switched. I was going to sleep at 10 pm and would be wide awake at 4 am. I have lost weight since starting it, which is welcome due to having gained weight on lithium. My moods are great and any irritability I experience subsides quickly. I have had no psychotic thoughts or actions since I started the Latuda. Even better, it has barely any side effects. I do notice a tiny bit of anxiety and restless legs though, but not every night. REMEMBER TO TAKE WITH 350 CALORIES OF FOOD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking 20 mg of Latuda in addition to the 900 mg of Lithium that I've been on for over 10 years. Even before the dosage was increased to 40 mg after one week, I noticed a difference in my mood: I became less depressed, wanted to do things like cleaning up, less withdrawn, and the suicidal thoughts disappeared. My sleeping is still not as good as it should be, however, even with the 25 mg of Seroquel, I sleep very poorly without. I also take Lorazepam as needed for anxiety. I am starting on an 80 mg dosage of Latuda shortly, and if all goes well, my psych said the Lithium may eventually be dropped."

• Ric...
• January 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been on Latuda (80 mg) for 3 months and it has done wonders for me. I am primarily manic and Latuda has helped me greatly. Much better than Seroquel and a whole bunch of others. Some mild nausea but if I take it with the 350 calories required this equates to no nausea. Still suffer from elevated anxiety but that's another issue."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this medication to treat bipolar depression. At first, it seemed to improve the mood swings, but from day one, I experienced severe akathisia and anxiety. I would take it at night, and every time I did, it would ruin my night. I tried to be patient with it for months, but it ultimately landed me in the ER with the first panic attack I've ever had in my life. Even the ER told me to stop taking it immediately. I'm glad I did, as I've felt much better since being off of it and trying something else. It's also insanely expensive, which makes it even more frustrating."

• STP...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2020

"I can't tell you how much this drug Latuda screwed up my life. I started taking it in January 2019 for a mood disorder, and by February I started getting severe, severe akathisia that lasted for months. I could literally not sit still. I would get up at night and pace the floor crying. My mom just thought it was anxiety, but I kept telling her that it was really severe. As night approached, I would get severe anxiety, and I still do now, even off the medication. During August, I also developed tardive dyskinesia. Before I would go to sleep, I would make these weird faces uncontrollably. Sometimes I would pull all-nighters and not take my meds because I didn’t want to take the medication. If I did, I would just wake up at night, take a cold shower, and drink 8 cups of coffee so I would be awake. I recently got off of it and I feel a lot better, although my nightly anxiety kicks in here and there. I just wish I never would have taken this drug because it screwed up my mind. I do not recommend this to anyone."

• Ssa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I began taking Latuda several years ago, and it has been the best treatment for my bipolar depression. It keeps my mood up without causing mania. However, the key for me was in the dosing. I have always been more sensitive to drugs than other people, side effects are stronger, some drugs knock me out, and with surgeries, anesthesia always makes me vomit, etc. I take 40 mg of Latuda, and it works best. My doctor increased it to 60 mg because it's closer to the 'therapeutic dose.' That was too much for me. I was jittery, couldn't sit still, felt like racing in my chest, it was a strange sensation. But when I went back down to 40 mg, I was fine, and it's enough to treat my mood. If you're like me, be careful of taking too much and find a doctor who is willing to listen about lowering doses. It works so well for me, my doctor gives me samples since I can't afford the high copays."

• unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've never been so sick, flu-like symptoms and no help with depression. I experienced anxiety and panic attacks while taking it. Three weeks was all I could take. Back to the doctor for a medicine change. Thank God I had some Xanax to help along the way. Hope others have better luck with it than I did."

• Mus...
• September 10, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Because Abilify went to generic recently, my therapist could no longer give me samples, so I had to discontinue it. After going a month with only taking my Wellbutrin and Xanax to help treat my bipolar disorder, I crashed! My therapist suggested I try Latuda, but because I have serious side effects from most drugs, I was hesitant! Finally decided, after reading a lot of reviews on here, to at least try it. I started on 20 mg and after 10 days, the only thing happening was a lot of vivid dreaming! I was still anxious and very depressed, so I increased my dosage to 40 mg and after 3 days, the depression and anxiety lifted! No nausea or weight gain, but very sleepy after a couple of hours of taking and still lots of crazy dreams! I'm happy again!"

• Owl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I started out taking 40 mg. Things were going okay for a week. I was restless, and my mind was racing, but I wasn't depressed, and to me, that was what mattered. But then the psych brought me up to 60, then 80 mg. My mind was racing, I was having anxiety attacks, I couldn't sit still, I was having random outbursts of crying. I did not feel like myself, and I felt so much worse than I did unmedicated. I went back down to 40 mg but still felt terrible and off. I was afraid to be alone because I was so low. I've been off it for about a week now, and I feel like me again for the first time in what feels like forever. I can finally just chill out without the restlessness and racing mind. My emotions are coming back (Latuda made me extremely flat). Latuda may work for you, but it didn't for me."

• Owl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I started out taking 40 mg. Things were going okay for a week. I was restless, and my mind was racing, but I wasn't depressed, and to me, that was what mattered. But then the psych brought me up to 60, then 80 mg. My mind was racing, I was having anxiety attacks, I couldn't sit still, I was having random outbursts of crying. I did not feel like myself, and I felt so much worse than I did unmedicated. I went back down to 40 mg but still felt terrible and off. I was afraid to be alone because I was so low. I've been off it for about a week now, and I feel like me again for the first time in what feels like forever. I can finally just chill out without the restlessness and racing mind. My emotions are coming back (Latuda made me extremely flat). Latuda may work for you, but it didn't for me."

• Bov...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Latuda 40 mg for 1.5 years. In 2012, I was hospitalized after a manic episode-hallucinating and not eating or sleeping for 2 days. Hospitalized in 2014 for another manic episode. I was prescribed Latuda 40 mg, haven't changed since then. I also started seeing a Christian therapist after my 2nd episode. I don't always take my Latuda with food and rarely after dinner (otherwise, I get restless and anxious). But so far, I have been healthy mentally, no manic episodes, no major depressive states. This year, I have even lost 10-12 lbs, but I'm very active now. I don't have a history of drug use, never been medicated before this, but family history of mental health issues."

• Arr...
• February 2, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked extremely well when I first started it at 20 mg - I felt amazing good, started listening to music, became more affectionate and loving with friends and family, I was feeling so good that I started telling people out of the blue that I feel happy for the first time in my life. BUT that didn't last for very long. Over the next 4-5 weeks, it completely stopped working and my old depressive symptoms of my bipolar disease came back. My doc upped the dosage to 40 mg to see if I could get back to the old positive state I had before at the beginning, but no dice. The higher 40 mg dose gave me horrible, severe anxiousness, agitation, and restlessness. Others have referred to this state of agitation as akathisia. I was climbing the walls!"

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Taken for three months. Only slightly stopped paranoid thoughts. Within weeks caused severe akathisia 'restlessness or need to move,' which really means having to move 24/7 while knees and feet hurt, terror anxiety, inability for any stimulation, tremors, insane insomnia like an hour -3 a night, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms didn’t stop until months after stopping the med. Insomnia and outside and inside tremors after the meds took over a year. When I go to an online support group for those with akathisia who took Latuda, they all have the same issues. I’ve heard multiple times from doctors that this drug doesn’t work for schizophrenia. I often wonder where these positive reviews come from."

• 2bi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on multiple medications for over 20 years for Bipolar II/depression. I am currently on Vivactil, which has worked in the past, but gives a side effect of anxiety. My doctor prescribed Latuda 6 months ago. I sleep well now but still have some anxiety. I have also gained 35 lbs while dieting and working out. I have almost no appetite, but am still gaining weight. Mentally a 9, but cannot continue this because I am getting depressed and having back pain due to the weight gain."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Latuda for about 2 months for my bipolar. The first month was going great. Then, as soon as my doctor upped my dose, I felt like I was losing my mind. It wasn't even that high-40 mg. I ended up at the ER so many nights with panic attacks, got hospitalized for 2 days for suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety. Literally, 2 days after getting off the meds, I started to feel better. I would never wish my experience on anyone."

• Pgk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Latuda was effective at first, however, one day I suddenly started feeling so nervous and agitated that I was extremely suicidal to the point of having the police called on me. This continued until I stopped taking Latuda."

• Cos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I hate this drug, Latuda! I have been on it for four weeks. At first, it helped a lot, I felt like it was working. Two weeks in, and I started sweating profusely, am constantly overheated. I’m restless. My anxiety is at a 5 24/7. I can’t relax, can’t sleep. I’ve gained 7 pounds, even though I have no appetite, and my stomach is in pain and I am bloated. I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin. I think it is also affecting my hormones as well. Going to the doctor today to get off of this stuff. I was doing much better on risperidone."

• Mrs...
• January 30, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "7 days ago, my psych added Latuda 80 mg a night to my usual diet of 300 mg lithium and 0.5 mg Ativan (when required). The first two days, as he tapered me up to 80 mg of Latuda, I was tired, almost sedated, and super relaxed. My horrible rapid cycling has stopped, paranoia significantly lessened. I have only cried 3 times this week, and I feel amazingly like 'my old self again.' I'm almost afraid it's too good to be true and suddenly side effects are going to start. But so far, so good! The only thing I've noticed is that I am eating again. I was having so much anxiety my food was choking me. I am not gaining weight, just able to relax enough to eat. I am hoping it will continue working, and I will be able to wean off the lithium because of the side effects."

• Lil...
• February 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Started this medication for bipolar depression. At first, it worked wonderfully. I was happier, open, and energetic, but after 2 months, I started to feel more and more anxious. The anxiety took over my life. I was terrified, and I became a total basket case. I stopped taking Latuda, and I returned to normal. If I hadn't stopped when I did, Latuda would have ruined my life. I will never touch this drug again."

• Win...
• May 3, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Because of Latuda, I now have side effects of constant restlessness. I'm always sleepy, I have uncontrollable facial movements, teeth grinding, blinking excessively at times, very dizzy a lot of the time and lightheaded, lots of nausea and vomiting, major loss of appetite. I lost 40 lbs, inability to keep still most of the time, agitation, blurred vision, no sex drive, confused, dry skin, stiff neck, I can't turn all the way, twitching uncontrollably of my eyes, mouth, tongue, face, arms, legs, lips. My back is always sore, my anxiety attacks are worse. I'm hyperactive, I feel manic all the time, always feel nervous. I have tightening of my jaw and snapping, and I even chipped a tooth. Constant headaches, back lower skull always tense, trouble collecting my words, weird jerking movements from my fingers, toes, arms, legs, face, lips, mouth, tongue, and eyes. Unsure of what to do next, restless, confused, looking for something to do constantly. I always feel weak, sweating of my hands and feet. And it won't go away!!"

• 154...
• December 18, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Before I took Latuda, my bipolar disorder was pretty much ruining my life. I started Latuda, and about 2 months later, while I was starting to feel so much better. I also noticed that I was starting to feel overwhelmed and was starting to become delusional and developed irrational fears, such as being scared to even go outside, for example. I stopped Latuda and went back to feeling normal. I thought it might have just been me, and my bipolar was starting to have a severe effect on my life again, so just a few months ago, I decided to try Latuda again. And within a week, I was starting to feel overwhelmed and delusional again. I will never take it again. While the medication was effective, the side effects were horrific."