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Two round pills with a "vs." between them: Latuda vs. Lamictal: Differences, similarities & side effects
Drug vs. Drug

Latuda vs. Lamictal: Differences, similarities & side effects

Compare the key differences, cost, side effects, and more
Gerardo Sison medical writer headshot
By | Jul. 10, 2024

Key takeaways

  • Latuda and Lamictal are FDA approved for bipolar disorder, but Latuda is an antipsychotic, and Lamictal is an anticonvulsant.

  • Latuda works by balancing dopamine and serotonin, while Lamictal stabilizes brain electrical activity.

  • Latuda comes as a swallowable tablet; Lamictal is available as a swallowable tablet, oral suspension tablet, or orally disintegrating tablet.

  • Both medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects, among others, but Latuda can also cause movement disorders.

In this article:

Latuda and Lamictal are brand-name prescription drugs that may be used to treat bipolar disorder. A healthcare provider may prescribe Latuda or Lamictal alongside other medications to manage and control symptoms. While they may be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bipolar disorder, they differ in various ways, including how they work, potential costs, and side effects.

Latuda vs. Lamictal: Key differences

Latuda is a brand-name drug that contains the active ingredient lurasidone. It is classified as an atypical antipsychotic that works by balancing levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain. 

Lamictal is also a brand-name drug but contains the active ingredient lamotrigine. It is classified as an anticonvulsant, or anti-seizure, medication. It works by calming the electrical activity in the brain, which helps control seizures and keeps mood more stable.

Dosage and dosage forms

Latuda is available as an oral tablet typically taken once daily. The dosage may vary depending on the condition being treated but generally ranges from 20 milligrams (mg) to 160 mg per day.

On the other hand, Lamictal comes three forms: oral tablets to swallow whole, orally disintegrating tablets to be placed under the tongue, and oral suspension tablets to be either swallowed whole, chewed, or dispersed in liquid. It is generally started at a low dose and gradually increased depending on the condition being treated and other medications being taken. For children, the dosage is typically based on weight. 

Compare Latuda vs. Lamictal key differences
Latuda Lamictal
Drug class Antipsychotic  Anticonvulsant
Brand/generic status Brand  Brand 
What is the generic name? Lurasidone Lamotrigine
What form(s) does the drug come in? Oral tablet Oral tablets

Tablets for oral suspension

Orally disintegrating tablets
What is the standard dosage? Schizophrenia in adults: 

40 to 160 mg per day

Schizophrenia in adolescents (13 to 17 years old):

40 to 80 mg per day

Bipolar depression in adults: 20 to 120 mg per day

Bipolar depression in children and adolescents (10 to 17 years old): 20 to 80 mg per day

 Epilepsy in children 2 to 12 years old: Varies based on weight

Epilepsy in children and adolescents 12 years and older: 25 mg every other day to 300 to 500 mg per day in two divided doses

Bipolar disorder in adults: 25 mg every other day up to 400 mg per day in divided doses
How long is the typical treatment? Short-term or long-term Short-term or long-term
Who typically uses the medication? Adults, adolescents, and children 10 years and older, depending on the condition being treated Adults, adolescents, and children 2 years and older, depending on the condition being treated

 

Latuda vs. Lamictal: Conditions treated

Latuda is FDA approved to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers ages 13–17 years old. It is also approved to manage depressive symptoms in people with bipolar I disorder. For bipolar disorder, it can be used by itself (as monotherapy) in children 10 to 17 years old. In adults with bipolar disorder, it is recommended alongside a mood stabilizer called lithium or an anticonvulsant called valproate.

Lamictal, on the other hand, is approved to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. For epilepsy, it helps reduce the frequency of seizures. When it comes to bipolar disorder, Lamictal is used to help prevent the extreme mood swings that characterize the condition, and it is particularly effective in delaying depressive episodes in people with bipolar disorder. Unlike Latuda, Lamictal can be used by itself in all patients without needing to be combined with other medications like mood stabilizers or anticonvulsants.

Compare Latuda vs. Lamictal conditions treated
Condition Latuda Lamictal
Schizophrenia Yes Off-label
Bipolar disorder Yes Yes
Epilepsy No Yes

 

Is Lamictal better than Latuda?

Clinical studies have shown that Lamictal and Latuda are effective medications. The better treatment option will depend on different factors like the patient’s age and overall condition. 

A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials compared different antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for treating bipolar disorder. Lurasidone (Latuda) with lithium or valproate was effective in reducing both depressive episodes and overall mood episode relapse. Meanwhile, lamotrigine (Lamictal) was effective in reducing depressive episodes but did not significantly outperform placebo for preventing manic episodes.

A healthcare provider will determine the most appropriate option depending on your symptoms and response to treatment. For example, if you experience seizures and also have bipolar disorder, Lamictal may be a better option than Latuda. If you experience symptoms of psychosis in addition to bipolar depression, your healthcare provider may prescribe Latuda. 

Latuda vs. Lamictal: Insurance coverage and cost comparison

Latuda and Lamictal are brand-name drugs that are widely available in generic versions. Both medications are generally covered by most commercial insurance and Medicare plans. However, the out-of-pocket costs can vary based on the insurance coverage. 

Without insurance, the retail cost of these medications may differ based on the pharmacy location and quantity prescribed, among other factors. The average retail cost of Latuda is around $1,859 for 30, 40 mg tablets, which is a month’s supply. The average retail cost of Lamictal is $766 for 30, 200 mg tablets. 

Prescription discount programs like SingleCare may help reduce the retail costs of these medications. SingleCare offers Latuda and Lamictal coupons that can be used at participating pharmacies across the nation. 

 

Compare Latuda vs. Lamictal cost & coverage
Latuda Lamictal
Typically covered by insurance? Yes Yes
Typically covered by Medicare Part D? Yes Yes
Quantity 40 mg (30 tablets) 200 mg (30 tablets)
SingleCare cost* $24 (for generic lurasidone) $6 (for generic lamogitrine)
*Cost at time of publishing. Drug prices vary by pharmacy.

Latuda vs. Lamictal side effects

Both Latuda and Lamictal can cause sedation or drowsiness in addition to gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. These symptoms occur with similar frequency for both medications. Diarrhea is also a side effect of Latuda but not Lamictal, while constipation is seen with Lamictal. 

Latuda can cause extrapyramidal symptoms, which are movement disorders that can include restlessness (akathisia) and involuntary muscle movements. Some symptoms may even resemble that of Parkinson’s disease (parkinsonism). On the other hand, Lamictal does not cause these types of movement symptoms.

Compare Latuda vs. Lamictal side effects
Latuda Lamictal
Side effect Applicable? Frequency* Applicable? Frequency*
Nausea Yes 14% Yes 14%
Vomiting Yes 4% Yes 5%
Dry mouth Yes 5% Yes 6%
Diarrhea Yes 4% No
Constipation No – Yes 5%
Common cold symptoms Yes 4% Yes 5%–7%
Urinary tract infection Yes 2% Yes 3%
Back pain Yes 2% Yes 8%
Extrapyramidal symptoms Yes 7% No
Drowsiness Yes 11% Yes 9%
Anxiety Yes 4% Yes 5%
Insomnia Yes 5% Yes 10%
Rash Yes 1% Yes 7%
Source: DailyMed (Latuda), DailyMed (Lamictal)
*Frequency is not based on data from a head-to-head trial. This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your healthcare provider to learn more.

Latuda and Lamictal drug interactions

Latuda and Lamictal are medications that can interact with other drugs, which may require dosage changes. Latuda may need to be used with caution with certain antifungals and antibiotics, as these can act as CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors or inducers that can increase or decrease Latuda levels in the body. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided with Latuda, as grapefruit can increase the levels of Latuda in the blood, potentially leading to an increased risk of side effects.

Lamictal levels can be affected by other drugs that either speed up or slow down its breakdown. For instance, drugs like carbamazepine and rifampin can reduce Lamictal levels, while valproate can increase them. Because of these interactions, healthcare providers may need to adjust the Lamictal dose to ensure it remains effective and safe.

Compare Latuda vs. Lamictal drug interactions
Drug Drug class Latuda Lamictal
Nizoral (ketoconazole) 

Vfend (voriconazole)

 Antifungal Yes Yes
Biaxin (clarithromycin)

Ery-Tab (erythromycin)

Rifadin (rifampin)

 Antibiotic Yes Yes
Norvir (ritonavir)

Reyataz (atazanavir)

 Antiretroviral Yes Yes
Dilantin (phenytoin)

Tegretol (carbamazepine)

 Anticonvulsant Yes Yes
Luminal (phenobarbital) Barbiturate Yes Yes
St. John’s wort Herbal Yes Yes
Tikosyn (dofetilide) Antiarrhythmic Yes Yes
Consult a healthcare professional for other possible drug interactions.

Latuda and Lamictal drug warnings

Latuda and Lamictal carry certain warnings for their use. For example, both medications may cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  

In addition, Latuda has the following warnings:

  • Older adults have an increased risk of death if they have dementia-related psychosis.
  • There is a higher chance of strokes or transient ischemic attacks in older adults with dementia.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with symptoms such as muscle stiffness, high fever, unstable blood pressure, and confusion, requires stopping the medication immediately and close monitoring.
  • This medication may cause blood sugar problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
  • This medication can cause elevated prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia).
  • This medication may lead to low white blood cell counts.
  • It can cause drops in blood pressure when standing up and fainting, so monitoring blood pressure and heart rate can be important.

Lamictal also has the following warnings:

  • There is a risk of serious and life-threatening skin rashes, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can require hospitalization. Stop taking the medication at the first sign of a rash unless it is clearly not related to the drug.
  • The medication may cause severe allergic reactions that affect multiple organs. Stop taking it if you notice signs like a rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.
  • There is a potential risk of serious heart rhythm problems in patients who already have heart conditions.
  • The medication can lead to blood conditions like low white blood cells, platelets, or red blood cells. Watch for signs of anemia or unexplained infections.
  • Watch for signs of meningitis, such as headache, fever, and vomiting. Stop taking the medication if these symptoms appear.

Consult a healthcare provider if you are or have plans for pregnancy or breastfeeding, as these medications may cause adverse effects in an unborn baby or breastfeeding child. 

Can you take Latuda and Lamictal together?

Latuda and Lamictal can be taken together, but they should only be combined with guidance from a healthcare provider. Both medications are used to treat bipolar disorder, and combining them may help manage symptoms more effectively. However, potential interactions and side effects need to be considered.