Can You Take Latuda at Breakfast?
No, you cannot take Latuda at breakfast unless you consume at least 350 calories with the meal—Latuda must be taken with food containing at least 350 calories to ensure proper absorption and therapeutic effectiveness. 1
Critical Administration Requirements
Latuda (lurasidone) requires administration with food (minimum 350 calories) because food increases absorption approximately 2-fold for AUC and 3-fold for peak concentration. 1 This is not optional—the FDA label explicitly states that administration with food substantially increases absorption, and all clinical trials demonstrating efficacy were conducted with food administration. 1
Why Food Matters
- Without adequate food, you will receive only about 50% of the intended drug exposure, potentially leading to treatment failure. 1
- The 350-calorie minimum is a specific threshold required for optimal bioavailability. 1, 2
- Peak plasma concentrations occur 1-3 hours after administration when taken properly with food. 2
Practical Breakfast Considerations
You can take Latuda at breakfast if your breakfast contains at least 350 calories. 1 Examples of 350-calorie breakfasts include:
- Two eggs with toast and butter plus a glass of milk
- A bowl of cereal with milk and a banana
- Oatmeal with nuts, fruit, and whole milk
- A breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and meat
If your typical breakfast is lighter (coffee and toast, for example), you should either increase the meal size or take Latuda with a larger meal later in the day. 1
Dosing Specifics
- For bipolar depression, the recommended starting dose is 20 mg once daily, with a maximum of 120 mg/day. 1
- No initial titration is required—you start at the therapeutic dose. 1
- Once-daily dosing provides convenience, but the timing must coincide with an adequate meal. 3, 4
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Taking Latuda on an empty stomach or with insufficient calories is the most common administration error and will result in subtherapeutic drug levels. 1, 2 The pharmacokinetic profile absolutely requires food administration—this was how the drug was studied and approved. 1
Administration within 30 minutes of a meal is acceptable if you cannot take it during the meal itself. 5
Monitoring Considerations
- Most common side effects include somnolence, akathisia, nausea, and parkinsonism, particularly early in treatment. 3, 4
- Latuda has a favorable metabolic profile with minimal weight gain and no clinically meaningful effects on glucose, lipids, or QTc interval. 4
- The mean elimination half-life is 18 hours, supporting once-daily dosing. 2