Latuda and Depression: What Users Say

• ful...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm the type to lurk in the review section, and man... I never thought I would be one of those people to actually review a medication. This medication completely ruined me, it really did. I consider this medication to be evil, it made everything worse. I stopped taking it about a week ago, and I'm still recovering, I'm still horribly suicidal. Yep, that's right, this medication made me suicidal. I've been having mental breakdowns every single day because of how this medication made me feel. I'm waiting for my brain to go back to its original working order. It just messed up my entire view of life, and I regret ever putting this horrible medication into my body. This experience has scarred me for life, and I will never forget it, it has truly messed me up. I got the horrible Akathisia side effect, and this medication really tested the limits of me mentally. I can barely sleep anymore. I'm sorry if I scared you, but this is just my experience. Best of luck to you."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Latuda is probably the best antipsychotic I've tried. I'm a little sedated, but not too much... Which is good because I have a lot of anxiety normally, but it's way better now. My hypomania went away, but my motivation hasn't vanished. It definitely helps my depression too. It also took away my minor auditory hallucinations completely. I like that I feel way more normal on this than any other antipsychotic I've tried. I'm not a zombie, I'm not hungry all of the time, I'm not anxious, I'm not depressed, and I'm sleeping normally (no insomnia or hypersomnia). I feel ok! The only downside is it causes some troubles focusing and some loss of motivation, but all antipsychotics do that to me and this one is minor compared to the others. I've only been on it about a month, but so far I really like this medicine!"

• Jon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Latuda 80 mg made me so manic that I could not lay still in bed. I did not understand what was happening. I told the doctor, and he tried to add more drugs. I rejected most of them as I felt worse or unable to function on them. I was not sleeping well and felt empty, emotionless, like a zombie. After 7 months of this awfulness on 80 mg Latuda, I became manic and psychotic, developed extreme paranoia, was not sleeping, and tried to end my life. The doctor switched me to Quetiapine, and things got better."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 2 but was misdiagnosed with major depression for over 20 years. I underwent major stress during that time and tried many meds for depression and bipolar. I was having obsessive suicidal ideation. I was put on Latuda, and it didn't work. Over time, I got more and more lethargic. I was emotionally numb, didn't talk, and couldn't think or remember. I basically did nothing for years. I can't remember exactly how long I was a zombie, but it was at least three years. I've been off the medication for a year. I no longer have suicidal ideation, but I still have minimal emotions, low motivation, no creative inspiration to paint, less emotional connection to music, less interest in hobbies I used to have, much less appetite, both for food and sex. My memory is bad, and though I used to have a 130 IQ, I have trouble thinking and understanding things I used to get. I lost years of my life and aspects of myself and my personality that I'm not sure will ever come back."

• Jen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 2 but was misdiagnosed with major depression for over 20 years. I underwent major stress during that time and tried many meds for depression and bipolar. I was having obsessive suicidal ideation. I was put on Latuda, and it didn't work. Over time, I got more and more lethargic. I was emotionally numb, didn't talk, and couldn't think or remember. I basically did nothing for years. I can't remember exactly how long I was a zombie, but it was at least three years. I've been off the medication for a year. I no longer have suicidal ideation, but I still have minimal emotions, low motivation, no creative inspiration to paint, less emotional connection to music, less interest in hobbies I used to have, much less appetite, both for food and sex. My memory is bad, and though I used to have a 130 IQ, I have trouble thinking and understanding things I used to get. I lost years of my life and aspects of myself and my personality that I'm not sure will ever come back."

• sob...
• May 7, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed five years ago as being bipolar and long-term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have taken many medicines. I felt so much better when adding Latuda that I went from 80 mg to 120 mg. I totally crashed. I was extremely depressed. I went off the medicine for six weeks. I started again taking 80 mg. I have been stable for five weeks. I also take lithium, Xanax, and Klonopin. I stay on a strict schedule of exercise. I am taking it day by day. This is one of my most expensive medicines."

• 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!"

• tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar II and started taking this for depression. The first two weeks I started on 20 mg, and I immediately noticed some sadness, unusual crying, feeling lethargic and unmotivated. After upping my medication to 40 mg in the third week, I am 100% certain this medicine is NOT for me. I feel more depressed and have abnormal thoughts. I definitely don't feel like myself. :("

• tha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar II and started taking this for depression. The first two weeks I started on 20 mg, and I immediately noticed some sadness, unusual crying, feeling lethargic and unmotivated. After upping my medication to 40 mg in the third week, I am 100% certain this medicine is NOT for me. I feel more depressed and have abnormal thoughts. I definitely don't feel like myself. :("

• vel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 28, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I have schizoaffective disorder and Latuda gave me back my life (along with an outpatient program and other medications). I felt like me again. I went back to work at a part-time job because I'm not in psychosis or depressed all the time. I have my own apartment. I drive and own my own car. Pretty soon, I'm going to try going off disability by working full time. It hasn't done everything, I still have delusions sometimes. I still had nasty side effects at first, like akathisia and sleepiness. I get depression at times, mostly just not wanting to leave the bed."

• sha...
• July 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on Latuda about 3 weeks now. The only downfall is staying asleep for the whole night. I go to bed around 10 PM and I wake up about one hour later feeling restless. Doctor told me to take melatonin before bed. I'll see if that works. Also, like someone above my message said, my doctor asked me to go off the medication and notice the signs of depression again and see what the medication has been doing. So true. After 3 days off the medication, I noticed my symptoms of anger and impulsiveness return, also my depression hitting hard again. So I'm going back on after today and staying on. It's finally a miracle that I can be symptom-free and no more racing thoughts. Thank you, medicine."

• JJS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I first took Latuda when I was severely suicidal with bipolar disorder, and it changed me overnight. I went off because my creatinine level went up, and it might have been the cause. Then I was on three other meds that didn't work as well. Now I'm back on Latuda after years of mild depression while being treated and in a fog, unable to think and sleeping 10 to 12 hours a day. Again, after a week of 20 mg, then 40 mg, I am feeling great. Thank you, Latuda, and thank you, Veterans Administration, for paying for it."

• Kbh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I am a 30-year-old female battling treatment-resistant depression since I was 15 years old, and Latuda was the best thing to ever happen to me! I was a new person after just 2 days on this medication… my husband was in complete shock at the change. My depressive mood disappeared, energy came back, and the internal restlessness I struggled with vanished. I was no longer compelled with OCD and compulsions like shopping and spending. Everything felt calm and quiet in my brain. I now can sit and be present with my son and truly enjoy life. It’s a miracle for me, and I pray that it doesn’t poop out. This medication is expensive, but thankfully, because it’s in my covered formulary and with the savings program, I only pay $0-$10/month for my fill. Given how I feel, I would pay full price if I had to. That’s how much my life has changed for the better…"

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Hate, hate, hate, hate this medication. I was on 20 mg, and I felt okay. Made me very irritable, so I upped to 40 mg. Biggest mistake. I feel so sick. Severely depressed. I wasn't depressed. I'm in such pain. I cry a lot. I want to feel happy. It's an absolute nightmare for me. I lowered to 30 mg yesterday, and I feel even sicker. I really don't know what to do. I'm so sad, and I don't want anyone to go through this. Every medication works differently for everyone. I'm not saying this medication won't work for you. It might do wonders. This is just my bad experience. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Hate, hate, hate, hate this medication. I was on 20 mg, and I felt okay. Made me very irritable, so I upped to 40 mg. Biggest mistake. I feel so sick. Severely depressed. I wasn't depressed. I'm in such pain. I cry a lot. I want to feel happy. It's an absolute nightmare for me. I lowered to 30 mg yesterday, and I feel even sicker. I really don't know what to do. I'm so sad, and I don't want anyone to go through this. Every medication works differently for everyone. I'm not saying this medication won't work for you. It might do wonders. This is just my bad experience. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• January 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I don't want to bash this drug because it sounds like it is really good for a lot of people. Also, it is by far the best antipsychotic I have tried in terms of side effects and effectiveness. However, like all antipsychotics I've tried so far (Seroquel, Abilify), it made me emotionally flat and unable to enjoy life. Being on it is better than being depressed, but it took away my ability to enjoy everything I used to (reading a good book, listening to music, looking at beautiful scenery or paintings). I am switching over to Depakote, and I can already feel my life coming back as the Latuda goes down."

• Ano...
• January 25, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "20 mg, bipolar depression - was happy to be on this med for about 1.5 years. I had a healthy routine, went to therapy, was building my life and thriving. Eventually, I began to feel very uncomfortable, like my dose was too high? Taken nightly, I could feel it kick in... always within a couple of hours, I would feel so unlike myself, sad, on edge, uncomfortable seemingly without a cause. I began to go to bed immediately, otherwise, I would be up with intrusive thoughts begging for the discomfort to end. Withdrawal period - I came off cold turkey and suffered a long adjustment period. No period, 6 months of pretty intense depression, and unable to eat. I took 15 minutes to force down a spoon of peanut butter every morning... became desperate and went back on the med because I thought I needed it to function, but really I just needed to make it a little longer through withdrawals. Expensive, ask around for coupons. Good luck, everybody."

• Msp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "It's okay, I'm not suicidal anymore because of Latuda. Not too long ago, I got off of Pristiq and Lamictal, even tried getting off of Vyvanse. Everything went downhill from there, so my psych doc decided to put me on Latuda. At first, I felt restless at bedtime, but now I feel super tired and sluggish, zombie-like. Also, emotionless, so I don't know if I will keep taking it. I want to feel again. Right now, I've not been feeling like myself. So we will see what the doctor says."

• Rst...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2013

For Schizophrenia "In my opinion only, this medication has marginal efficiency in treating the positive and some negative symptoms of my psychosis. This medication helped me think better and organize my thoughts more clearly, along with significantly reducing most of my delusions. However, from my personal experience, I do not feel that this medication is very effective in treating depression or depression-related issues such as crying and getting angry easily. Otherwise, this medication also has some positive effects in treating bipolar symptoms."

• Oce...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been diagnosed with Major Depression with Mixed Features. Anniversary reaction to 4 major events. Guess I finally had a breakdown. I’ve always kept it together as I am med phobic. I went into massive depression and anxiety. My pdoc has been very patient with me and really tried to educate me on Latuda. It took 3 months for me to finally take the medication with much conversation and her explaining the benefits of sleep. I’m on 10 mg of Lexapro and 20 mg of Latuda with food at night, and I take 1 mg of Xanax as needed. Since taking Latuda, I don’t need to use any benzos. I’m calm throughout the day. I don’t feel depressed like I was, it was bad. I feel like I’m getting my life back in order again. It’s only been about 2 to 3 weeks. My doc was very good about taking time to explain it’s not just for one condition and there are off-label uses. If your doc suggests this medication, give it a shot, it’s worth it, especially for MDD and anxiety. Good luck out there."

• Ano...
• June 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed with Bipolar II and schizophrenia. At first, this was the wonder drug. Now, as I'm 1 year into it, my daily functionality has significantly decreased. I take this with 50 mg Vyvanse just to wake up enough to work. I can't verbally communicate anymore, even with friends or my wife. It's affecting my work. My tongue clicks and my legs shake uncontrollably. No motivation. No emotional reactions except strong anger outbursts. I will sleep 18+ hrs a day if I can."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Latuda 80 mg for almost 2 months for bipolar. I can't function. It has made me more depressed than ever, and I wasn't even depressed in the first place. All I had was really bad anger. Doctor told me I am bipolar???? I used to be happy and full of energy. Now I can't get out of bed."

• TRG...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "After day 9, I had had enough of my life. I am a 38-year-old woman with a reasonably good life, a wonderful son, no reason to leave this life. I have been way more depressed before without having negative ideations. I am still in shock! Please consider other options!"

• Ang...
• April 22, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "The first week and a half was unbearable. Severe anxiety, depression, and crazy vivid nightmares... then it was like a light was switched on and everything felt great. I was just upped to 40 mg a week ago today, and now I am back to severe anxiety, depression, and vivid nightmares... I really hope this pulls through for me once again, or I am going back down to 20 mg. My relationship was blossoming, now I feel we are struggling once more. I refuse to lose my happiness due to this mental disorder!"

• Pol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worst medicine for bipolar I have tried, it made me extremely angry and irritable. I got extreme hot flashes that got worse during the night, which prevented me from sleeping. It also made me feel more depressed and I actually gained weight on it. The withdrawals weren't that bad but the hot flashes haven't gone away completely. Not a good drug for me personally but I hope it works well for others."