Latuda and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Kal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm on 200mg Lamictal and 150mg Wellbutrin for bipolar II with mania controlled and depression affecting my daily life. Added 20mg of Latuda 3 weeks ago and I've seen massive improvement. I went from sitting at home on the couch all the time to going out and applying for jobs and completing many projects around the house. It does come with drowsiness, works better than my prescribed sleep medication, and some nausea but food solves that. I don't know if my dosage will be increased but I feel great now with all my other medications plus the Latuda. Overall the pros make the cons nonexistent in my eyes."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2013

For Schizophrenia "Latuda is the best thing that has ever happened to me. The only thing I can complain about is the price and the zero appetite it gives me. It does cause severe drowsiness about 2 hours after taking it from me, but when I wake up I am refreshed and full of energy. Which is something I have never experienced. Being schizophrenic since I was 7, how I feel today is a Godsend. Thanks to Latuda, I am finally starting to form a life."

• Bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried many medications over the years, mostly antidepressants but a few others like lamotrigine & Seroquel. I must say that nothing has been more effective than Latuda. I was on Wellbutrin for a couple years, was ok. This does make me drowsy so I take it at night. I do have to take with food or will make me really nauseous. Truly a miracle drug as I was not doing well."

• 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!"

• Fre...
• August 25, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have struggled greatly with Bipolar 1 for many years. The past two years have been horrific for me. I am a rapid cycler and it has been so unrelenting that I have had to fight my company through a legal battle to stay employed through the ADA act. Finally, I got a new doctor who discontinued me from taking Depakote, Klonopin, Trilifon, and Trileptal. He started me on Seroquel XR, which was too sedating, and now I'm on 40 mg of Latuda. It is wonderful! I have only been on it for 4 days, but I feel human again! My appetite is normal and I am losing all my weight from the other meds. I want to socialize and don't feel manic or depressive. So excited."

• Gir...
• April 28, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Latuda (20 mg) about 2 weeks ago and felt improvement almost immediately, like within 24 hours. I was extremely skeptical thinking it was just an anomaly, but I have felt good every day since starting it. I am bipolar 1 and was in EXTREME depression and anxiety before starting it. I do not take it with food and have had no nausea. (As a matter of fact, I had more nausea before starting Latuda than after!) I have been on about 8 other meds, and none have worked like this. Just 3 weeks ago, I could not even sit at the table for a family dinner. I was so depressed and anxious I would leave almost immediately. Now I feel happy (yes, happy!) and sociable. At first, it made me sleepy, but that one side effect has left."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Latuda for about 6 weeks for Bipolar depression. It is one of the most effective medications that I have taken for depression, but I'm dealing with a few side effects that I hope will go away. I have the paradox of extreme tiredness followed by difficulty sleeping. If I take it during the day, I will have a few hours of fighting falling asleep. When I take it at night (which is what I do now), after the initial sleepiness wears off, I wake up several times and am somewhat restless. Hopefully, I will be able to adjust better over time. If you need something that works fast for depression, I would recommend."

• cnt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I've only been on Latuda for a week, what a difference it has made in my mood. It has lifted the depression & debilitating anxiety. I take it along with Depakote & Klonopin (both of which I've been on for many years). I take it at night because it makes me sleepy. It does give me a 'lump in the throat' sensation, for some reason, about an hour and 1/2 after I take it and that feeling lasts about 2-3 hours. The next day it's gone. I will talk with my psych PA about it, to see what it may be. I haven't had this much motivation in a very long time, and it's not a manic or hypomanic feeling, I just feel like living again. I hope it continues to work well and doesn't cause any intolerable side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "From day one, my mood immediately improved. I felt happier and more energized and started enjoying life again. The problem I have with this medication, however, is that about an hour or two after taking, I am overcome with extreme exhaustion and have to sleep immediately. I can afford this thanks to the discount card, making it around $30 a month."

• Dan...
• September 13, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Have tried almost everything since being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I 4 years ago. I have been on 40mg for a month now. Couldn't be happier. My time at work used to drag and make for an even more miserable day, but no longer. Happier thoughts and no mind racing. I have even been able to stop drinking alcohol while on this medicine. I guess it took away the need to self-medicate. I take this medicine at night with dinner, but after an hour, I can't sit still yet I am very sleepy. I try to sleep but keep having to turn over and over until I fall asleep about 3 hours later. It is a miserable feeling, but sleep very well once I do fall asleep. Small price to pay for feeling so much better. Good luck to all!"

• Jea...
• March 21, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Latuda for about three weeks now for bipolar II. I don't suffer too badly from it, mostly slight depression and irritability. Started week one on 40 mg and was still slightly depressed but not cranky. Upped it to 80 mg and am feeling sunshiny again. Positive attitude is back, interest in things, no longer cranky, more focused, more outgoing. The only MAJOR problem is I am sleepy all the time! I tried taking it at dinner, bedtime, and lunch. I pass out at 8:30 at night, can't get up in the morning, and fight to stay awake at my desk at work. I have read lots of other posts that people have said it passes after a month or so, I really hope so because otherwise it's a great med. No other side effects for me."

• 40w...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2013

For Schizophrenia "Excellent medicine in my experience. I've been taking it for about 6 months. I'm now working and going to school full-time. Anxiety has improved significantly, almost to pre-illness levels. I feel great cognitively (creative, zero psychotic symptoms, memory seems pretty sharp). Although I've never really gained weight on Risperidone for 2 years, I was relatively weight-neutral. I've actually lost 5-10 lbs. since taking Latuda, pretty much without trying. The one minor annoyance would have to be that it requires 350 calories for full absorption, and it puts me to sleep about an hour after taking it. I end up eating a small meal/snack before bed every night (yogurt, nuts, etc.)."

• rus...
• April 10, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "My physician put me on Latuda about a year or two ago, and I finally settled on 80 mg per evening with food. It all seemed to be working well, except on the weekends when I’d usually only eat two meals. I would take my Latuda at lunchtime, and on 80 mg, I struggled with the ability to keep still. I would just constantly feel the need to move around when lying down watching TV. This only occurred on weekends for some strange reason, as when I’d come home from work on each weekday, I’d eat something and take it around 5 pm and usually fall asleep. No side effects, no nothing. The weekends, on the other hand, became more troublesome, and I requested to be taken off Latuda, which my physician did, but placed me on 0.25 mg of Risperdal. Bad idea. I couldn’t stay awake and was drowsy at work and had to leave work on two occasions. So I go back to see my PA, and he suggests Latuda 60 mg. Problem solved. The side effects of wanting to move around all the time went away."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Take Latuda at night before sleep! I've only been taking it for a week, but the first few days were extremely uncomfortable with massive drowsiness. Until I took it at night, and then I really had no drowsiness during the day, which was a game changer for me. I got to be productive again. I hope the med works out for me, but I just wanted to share that right away as it really helped me."

• csp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have just started Latuda, and I am so happy with it (I will update after I've been on it for a while). I switched from Olanzapine, and the difference is incredible. Olanzapine had me feeling groggy and tired. Latuda, from day one, has had my brain feeling clear, and I've had my energy back! My apartment is finally clean, and I'm not losing everything all the time (seriously - I lost my phone daily before). The only 'side effect' is that I am super drowsy when I take it, which has to be with dinner, so the whole night I'm tired. I see this as a positive because I used to be up all night on Olanzapine. Plus, I wake up in the morning, and I'm wide awake! Latuda has been amazing!"

• roc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was in deep depression. Effexor was not working anymore and I was having deep suicidal thoughts. Then my doctor added Latuda 40 mg. Miracle! No more suicidal thoughts and my bipolar depression ceased by 80%. The only problem is it makes me sleep when I take it in the morning and keeps me awake when I take it at supper. Taking it at lunch causes a little less sleepiness. Another feature is that it controls my severe anxiety."

• Los...
• May 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "The therapist thinks I have bipolar II. I was taking Cymbalta, trazodone, and Klonopin. I am now only on 40 mg of Latuda and Klonopin. I feel like a zombie. I have no desire to speak when I'm with friends. I've found myself drooling sometimes, letting a small amount of drool drip out. Very embarrassing. I often find myself staring out into nothing. I have trouble keeping still most days. I have to take it with food, or I will become very nauseous. Also, I must take it before bed because it makes me drowsy. I don't like this medication. I used to be more full of life, even if I was depressed under the surface. Now I'm just a bump on a log with nothing to say. Makes me sad about this."

• 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."

• Tan...
• July 20, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently taken off of lithium for bipolar because of my thyroid problems. I am very happy with Latuda. It works quickly and makes me feel normal for the most part. I have only had a little irritability, but it quickly subsided. The main problem I have had with Latuda is drowsiness. I take it at night, but I am still having a difficult time waking up. I'm going to try taking it earlier, like right after dinner, and see if that helps me wake up earlier. I have to wake up by 6:00 a.m. once school starts again since I am a teacher. I have been waking up around 10:00 a.m. and don't think that will work. I recommend trying Latuda!"

• Jef...
• December 24, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Latuda on the 20 mg starter dose and am now up to 40 mg at night. I also take 1200 mg per day of Lithium. I started taking Latuda because the Lithium was not quite controlling the hypomanic breakthrough events. The Latuda is amazing. I started noticing the change about 3 days into it. The main thing is that I feel calm, the best I have felt in about 20 years. It does not make me that sleepy, although I used to have trouble falling asleep, and now it is no problem. It does make me hungry, which I have to fight all day. I will take hungry over feeling like crap any day."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I am taking this for bipolar. I'm not taking it in any combination of other meds. So far, I have had only good results. I was told it could have sedative effects, but the opposite has been true with me. When I do fall asleep, then I sleep just fine. Haven't experienced any weight gain. Latuda has helped me much more than anything else I have ever taken. I am a veteran and also have PTSD, and it has even seemed to help with that. I recommend this drug, just give it a fair try. Some side effects diminish or go away over time."

• jen...
• March 31, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have rapid cycling bipolar. I started with 20 mg of Latuda per day for 4 weeks. Tried it in the morning and felt so tired and groggy that I could barely function at work. So, I tried taking it at night with Klonazepam for sleep, and it worked perfectly, except for vivid dreams. At 20 mg, I was finally feeling happy, smiling, talking to everyone, just all around pleasant. Recently, I've bumped up to 40 mg and am feeling agitated, cranky, reluctant to talk to anyone, the opposite of where I was emotionally on 20 mg. I am going to reduce to 20 mg again and see if my positive attitude returns. Definitely take with food. Suicidal thoughts eliminated. Good medication overall!"

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2012

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine has been amazing. I was put on 40 mg at night, and we changed it to 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg at night. It makes me a bit sedated during the day, but honestly, this is a relief since I'm just really glad not to be so paranoid and afraid anymore. It's made the voices leave, paranoia go way down, and I don't fly off the handle over every little thing anymore. No weight gain, no increased appetite, and I don't feel dumb as a rock like I have on Risperdal or Geodon. Would definitely recommend this medicine to anyone who hasn't tried it but who needs a change! I've been on it for about 4 and a half weeks."

• Gle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I am so happy that I gave in and tried this drug. I feel so much better, I even cleaned the house! I was so sick with racing thoughts and cognitive issues. I am 51 and trying to hold a job. Latuda has kept me out of the hospital. Best to take at night, as there is a drowsy phase after dosing before the 'straight ahead,' as I call it, phase, which is actually functioning well at job, chores, life..."

• 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."