Lumateperone (Caplyta) for Schizophrenia: What To Know

Figuring out the right treatment for schizophrenia can take time. When you start a new medication or switch to a new one, it can leave you with questions. Lumateperone (Caplyta) is a medication that doctors can prescribe for adults living with schizophrenia to help with symptoms.

Knowing what a medication is approved for is only the tip of the iceberg. If your doctor has prescribed Caplyta, it’s important to understand how it works, how to take it, and what side effects to watch for.

How Caplyta Works for Schizophrenia

Because researchers don’t know exactly how schizophrenia develops, they also don’t fully understand the drugs that treat it. But there are some theories.

Schizophrenia may be linked to abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin. Rather than resulting from a single neurotransmitter imbalance, research suggests it involves interactions along multiple brain signaling pathways.

It’s thought that dopamine activity is increased in certain brain pathways, which may cause delusions and hallucinations in schizophrenia. Reduced dopamine in other areas of the brain can cause a decrease in motivation and mood.

Serotonin also may play a role in schizophrenia. It’s involved with the regulation of mood and impulse control, but it can also interact with dopamine pathways.

Caplyta binds to serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. It’s thought that Caplyta works through these pathways to help reduce schizophrenia symptoms.

How Caplyta Is Taken

Caplyta can be taken with or without food. The recommended dose is 42 milligrams once daily with or without food.

Your doctor will likely start you on the recommended dose right away, but some people may need to start with a lower dose to balance safety and benefit. For example, if you take a medication that affects how the body breaks down Caplyta, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of 21 milligrams or 10.5 milligrams once daily instead.

Your liver helps clear Caplyta from your body. If you have liver problems, you may need a lower dose to keep the amount of medicine in your body from getting too high.

It’s important to take Caplyta as prescribed. Changing the dose or taking it more often could increase your risk of side effects. If you’re thinking about stopping Caplyta or have concerns about whether or not it’s working for you, talk to your healthcare team first.

How Effective Is Caplyta?

A clinical trial of more than 400 people with schizophrenia showed that taking Caplyta (42 milligrams) once daily significantly improved overall schizophrenia symptoms after four weeks compared to those not taking Caplyta. Participants had experienced worsening symptoms during the four weeks before starting Caplyta.

All medicines can affect each person differently. Some people may notice an improvement in symptoms after the first week.

Others may see little to no improvement in symptoms. It’s best to talk to your doctor about how the medication is working and if you notice any side effects.

What Are the Side Effects?

Research suggests that Caplyta may cause less weight gain and smaller changes in blood sugar and cholesterol than some other antipsychotics.

Some studies have also found that Caplyta causes fewer movement-related side effects than certain other antipsychotics. One possible movement-related side effect is tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movements). Movement-related side effects can occur with antipsychotic medicines.

Side effects of Caplyta reported in clinical trials include:

• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness (which can increase the risk for falls)

Caplyta can also cause serious side effects. Most are rare, but it’s important to recognize the warning signs so you can tell your doctor right away.

Here are some serious side effects and warning signs to look out for:

• New or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially among young adults
• Increased thirst, blurry vision, or frequent urination, which can be signs of high blood sugar
• Uncontrolled body movements
• Seizures
• Stiff muscles and elevated body temperature, which can be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Possible signs of a stroke, including sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs, confusion, and trouble speaking
• Possible low white blood cell count (called agranulocytosis) in people at risk, which may require blood count monitoring when starting the medication
• Low blood pressure upon standing or sitting up quickly (called orthostatic hypotension)

Questions To Ask Before Taking Caplyta

Before you start taking Caplyta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure Caplyta is a good fit for you.

Caplyta is a promising treatment for people living with schizophrenia, but it may not be right for everyone. Side effects, drug interactions, and health conditions should be considered. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the risks and benefits and decide if Caplyta is right for you.