This sheet is about exposure to lurasidone in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information is based on published research studies. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare providers.
What is lurasidone?
Lurasidone is a medication that has been used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. Lurasidone is sold under the brand name Latuda®.
Sometimes when women find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication, or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take your medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.
I take lurasidone. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
Studies have not been done in humans to see if taking lurasidone can make it harder to get pregnant.
Does taking lurasidone increase the chance of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if taking lurasidone can increase the chance of miscarriage.
Does taking lurasidone increase the chance of birth defects?
Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. It is not known if lurasidone can increase the chance of birth defects because information on the use of lurasidone in pregnancy is limited. Two reports on around 150 pregnancies with exposure to lurasidone did not report an increased chance of birth defects.
Does taking lurasidone in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?
Studies have not been done to see if lurasidone can increase the chance of pregnancy-related problems such as preterm delivery (birth before week 37) or low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams] at birth).
I need to take lurasidone during my pregnancy. Will it cause withdrawal symptoms in my baby after birth?
The use of antipsychotic medications like lurasidone during the third trimester of pregnancy can cause temporary symptoms in newborns soon after birth. These symptoms are sometimes referred to as withdrawal and can include uncontrolled muscle movements, changes in muscle tone, being too sleepy, trouble breathing, and/or trouble with feeding.
Not all babies who are exposed to antipsychotic medications during pregnancy will have these symptoms. Also, these symptoms have not been reported with use of lurasidone during pregnancy. However, it is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking lurasidone so that if symptoms occur, your baby can get the care that is best for them.
Does taking lurasidone in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?
Studies have not been done to see if lurasidone can increase the chance of behavior or learning issues for the child.
Breastfeeding while taking lurasidone:
Lurasidone has not been well-studied for use while breastfeeding.
Very little of this medication is expected to get into breast milk. Among reports of women who breastfed while taking lurasidone, no side effects were reported in the nursing child. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about using lurasidone and what treatment is best for you. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breastfeeding questions.
If a man takes lurasidone, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?
Studies have not been done in humans to see if lurasidone could affect male fertility (ability to make healthy sperm) or increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. In general, exposures that men have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/.
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