Latuda and Suboxone are very different drugs, but both can cause sedation. When they’re taken together, that sedation can be significant.
Your doctor can help you assess the risks and benefits of using these medications at the same time. You should stay in close contact with your doctor if you use them together. If interactions appear, you may need to change your treatment plan.
Latuda is a mood-stabilizing medication that is prescribed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar depression and other mental health conditions.[1] It is known generically as lurasidone.
The medication is an antipsychotic that works by balancing levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. In research studies, people with bipolar disorder who take Latuda show improvement in overall quality of life and ability to function well.[2]
Latuda can cause side effects, and some of them are serious. The following problems have been documented in people using the medication:[6]
If you have severe liver or kidney disease, your doctor may need to adjust your dose to ensure you can process the medication appropriately.[6]
Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of this medication, and together, you can decide if it’s appropriate for you.
Suboxone (brand name for a medication that contains buprenorphine and naloxone) can interact with Latuda.[3] Understanding what those interactions look like is an important part of staying safe if you use them together.
The buprenorphine in Suboxone is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant.[3] At high doses, it can cause slowed breathing. The naloxone inside buprenorphine can protect against severe CNS signs, but adding Latuda could cause more problems.
CNS depression is a common side effect of Latuda.[6] Some people feel sleepy and slow while using the medication, even at the doses their doctors recommend.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says combining depressant drugs can slow down breathing and increase the risk of organ damage, overdose and death.[7]
There have been a few other examples of side effects occurring as a result of co-administration of Latuda and Suboxone. Both medications can cause some urinary retention, which may worsen if used together. A 2018 study noted that a patient developed acute urinary retention (AUR) after taking Suboxone, lurasidone and trazodone together.[4]
Ensure that your doctor and pharmacist know you’re taking Suboxone before they recommend or fill a prescription for Latuda. Your team can assess the risks and determine if this combination is right for you.
As explained above, certain individuals may experience side effects that can range from mild (like some urinary retention) to more severe (like respiratory depression). If a person taking both medications experiences serious side effects, they should contact their doctor as soon as possible.
The FDA’s present stance on taking Latuda and similar drugs with Suboxone is that doctors and patients need to weigh the risks and benefits of taking the drugs together.[5] Both drugs may need to be taken on a long-term basis, and both can treat serious health issues.
It may be worth a patient taking a potentially risky combination of medications in some circumstances if it helps the patient overcome OUD while simultaneously treating a serious mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
No two individuals are the same. A patient and doctor may feel that the benefits of taking Latuda and Suboxone at the same time are worth the risks, and generally, it is safe to do so. Others may prefer to be cautious and try a different treatment for OUD if they are on Latuda. At the end of the day, the patient always has the autonomy to decide what is best for their own body with the guidance of their doctor.
Peter Manza, PhD received his BA in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester and his PhD in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He is currently working as a research scientist in Washington, DC. His research focuses on the role of the brain dopamine system in substance use disorders and in aging. He also studies brain function in obesity and eating disorders.
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