What is the mechanism of action for Caplyta?
Caplyta (lumateperone) is thought to work by changing the activity of certain chemicals called neurotransmitters in the brain. These neurotransmitters include dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin.
Similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (medications commonly used to treat depression), Caplyta blocks the reuptake of serotonin. This boosts serotonin levels in the brain. Specifically, it is a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Researchers believe this is one reason it is effective for treating depressive symptoms.
Caplyta is also a pre-synaptic partial agonist and post-synaptic antagonist at dopamine D2 receptors. Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters that is thought to play a role in schizophrenia symptoms. In patients with schizophrenia, too much dopamine is released in certain areas of the brain. Caplyta works at dopamine receptors to balance out dopamine levels.
Patients with schizophrenia also have low glutamate activity. Caplyta has also been found to boost glutamate activity by targeting NMDA receptors in the brain.
Is Caplyta a mood stabilizer or antipsychotic?
Caplyta belongs to a group of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It’s used to treat schizophrenia and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I and II disorder in adults. For bipolar I or II disorder, it may be used alone or together with a mood stabilizer like lithium.
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Should I take Caplyta with food?
You can take Caplyta with or without food. The typical dose of Caplyta is 42 mg by mouth once daily. However, if you have moderate or severe liver problems, your doctor may prescribe 21 mg by mouth once daily.
What are common side effects from Caplyta?
In studies, commonly-reported side effects of Caplyta included:
- Somnolence or sedation (sleepiness)
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
This is not all the information you need to know about Caplyta (lumateperone) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
Brisch, R., et. al. (2014). The Role of Dopamine in Schizophrenia from a Neurobiological and Evolutionary Perspective: Old Fashioned, but Still in Vogue. In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032934/
Caplyta [package insert]. (2023). Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=db730b06-6351-47fd-8183-e61e61bbead5
Cooper, D., et. al. (2023). Lumateperone. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560844/
Edinoff, A., et. al. (2020). Lumateperone for the Treatment of Schizophrenia. In: Psychopharmacology Bulletin. Accessed 05/31/24 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7511146/
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Drug information
- Caplyta Information for Consumers
- Caplyta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Caplyta (detailed)
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