Introduction
Luraprex 20 is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that can result in hallucinations or delusions and also adversely affects a person’s ability to think and behave. It can also be used to treat depression, mania and bipolar disorders.
Luraprex 20 should be taken with food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, dryness in mouth, and insomnia (difficulty sleeping). It also causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, or suicidal thoughts while taking this medicine.
This medicine may increase your weight but, modifying your lifestyle by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly can reduce this side effect. You should be cautious as in rare cases it may cause serious side effects like high blood sugar levels or seizures.
Side effects of Luraprex 20
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Weight gain
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Indigestion
- Parkinsonism
- Akathisia (inability to stay still)
- Anxiety
- Stomach discomfort
- Restlessness
- Upper abdominal pain
- Agitation
- Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
- Increased saliva production
How to use Luraprex 20
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Luraprex 20 is to be taken with food.
How Luraprex 20 works
Luraprex 20 work by modulating the action of certain chemical messengers in the brain that affects thoughts.
Indication
Psychotic Disorder, Schizophrenia, bipolar depression.
Administration
Should be taken with food
Adult Dose
Schizophrenia
40 mg PO once daily initially; may increase to 80 mg/day if needed; not to exceed 160 mg/day
Bipolar Depression
Indicated for major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder; may be used as either monotherapy or adjunctive therapy with lithium or valproate
20 mg PO once daily initially; may increase dose if needed, not to exceed 120 mg/day
Hepatic impairment
Mild (Child-Pugh class A): Dosage adjustment may not be necessary; use caution
Moderate (Child-Pugh class B): 20 mg/day initially; not to exceed 80 mg/day
Severe (Child-Pugh class C): 20 mg/day initially; not to exceed 40 mg/day
Child Dose
Safety and efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Renal impairment
CrCl 50 mL/min or greater: Dosage adjustment not required
CrCl <50 mL/min: 20 mg/day initially; not to exceed 80 mg/day
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity. Concurrent administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, Ketoconazole). Concurrent administration of strong CYP3A4 inducers (eg, Rifampin).
Dementia-related psychosis.
Mode of Action
The mechanism of action of Lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression is unknown. However, its efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar depression could be mediated through a combination of central dopamine Type 2 (D2) and serotonin Type 2 (5HT2A) receptor antagonism.
Precaution
Increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults taking antidepressants
Cerebrovascular adverse reactions in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis: Increased incidence of cerebrovascular adverse events (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack).
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Manage with immediate discontinuation and close monitoring.
Tardive dyskinesia: Discontinue if clinically appropriate.
Metabolic changes: Atypical antipsychotic drugs have been associated with metabolic changes that may
increase cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk. These metabolic changes include hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and weight gain.
Hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus: Monitor patients for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia,
polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Monitor glucose regularly in patients with diabetes or at risk for diabetes.
Dyslipidemia: Undesirable alterations have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics.
Weight Gain: Gain in body weight has been observed. Monitor weight.
Hyperprolactinemia: Prolactin elevations may occur.
Leukopenia, neutropenia and agranulocytosis: Perform complete blood counts (CBC) in patients with a
pre-existing low white blood cell count (WBC) or a history of leukopenia or neutropenia. Consider discontinuing Lurasidone if a clinically significant decline in WBC occurs in the absence of other causative factors.
Orthostatic hypotension and syncope: Dizziness, tachycardia or bradycardia, and syncope may occur, especially early in treatment. In patients with known cardiovascularor cerebrovascular disease, and in antipsychotic-naïve patients, consider a lower starting dose and slower titration.
Lactation: Unknown whether drug is distributed in breast milk; use caution
Side Effect
>10%
Somnolence, dose related (22%),Akathisia, dose related (15%),Fasting glucose increased (10-14%),Nausea (12%),Parkinsonism (11%)
1-10%
Vomiting (8%),Dyspepsia (8%),Anxiety (8%),Agitation (6%),Anxiety (6%),Dystonia (5%),Dizziness (5%),Fatigue (4%),Back pain (4%),Restlessness (3%),Salivary hypersecretion (2%)