Why Is Latuda So Expensive?

Did you know that almost 25 million people in the world have schizophrenia? While it isn't as common as other mental health illnesses, it can be severely debilitating. Schizophrenia often results in decreased quality of life and an increased likelihood of chronic diseases. 

How do you manage schizophrenic symptoms? For most patients, antipsychotic medications can help lower symptoms and assist people in leading normal, healthy lives. However, the price tags on these medications are deceiving. 

The high costs of mental health drugs in the United States have made it unaffordable for many people, especially those without quality insurance. Luckily, we have put together a complete guide on what Latuda is, what it treats, and how you can save money in 2022.

Keep reading for more information!

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health illness that is chronic and extremely disabling. It is characterized by psychosis, where a person loses sight of reality. Unfortunately, there is no cure for schizophrenia, and many are left to manage the symptoms with psychotherapy and medication. 

This mental illness can limit a person's ability to work, have healthy relationships, and overall quality of life. What are some of the common symptoms of schizophrenia?

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Confused speech
• Difficulty concentrating
• Decreased motivation
• Catatonia
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of emotional response
• Poor hygiene
• Withdrawn nature

Schizophrenia symptoms are broken into three categories: positive, negative, and disorganized. With positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations and delusions), a person loses sense of reality. The severity and duration of psychotic episodes can vary with patients. 

In some instances, a patient may experience one psychotic episode. In more debilitating cases, patients experience multiple bouts of psychosis that can last for days or weeks. 

What Causes Schizophrenia?

There is no definitive cause of schizophrenia, which is one reason that makes it difficult to treat at times. Four umbrella terms play a role in the development of schizophrenia:

• Genetics
• Brain chemistry
• Abnormal brain structures
• Environment

Children with a parent with schizophrenia are more likely to develop this mental illness. Changes in brain chemistry and structures can also predispose someone with a higher likelihood. Keep in mind - nothing will definitively dictate whether a person develops schizophrenia or not. 

However, schizophrenic symptoms usually start in the late teens or early adulthood. 

Diagnosis and Treatment

There are no blood tests or imaging that can diagnose schizophrenia. Typically, a psychiatrist or other mental health specialist can diagnose schizophrenia based on specific behaviors and symptoms. 

A person must have two or more symptoms over six months. Active symptoms must be present for at least one month. Treatments may include:

• Medication
• Psychosocial therapy
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Medication management is the gold-standard treatment for schizophrenia at this time, although other interventions could be used together. There are two main categories of medication: first-generation and atypical or second-generation.

Atypical Antipsychotic Medications

Atypical antipsychotics started in the 1990s and have fewer side effects than typical antipsychotic medication. They have similar effectiveness, but many patients find them more tolerable. Examples of atypical antipsychotics are:

• Invega
• Abilify
• Risperdal
• Seroquel
• Clozaril
• Latuda

Latuda, also known as lurasidone, is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar depression. It can be used for patients 13 years and older and can range from 40 mg to 160 mg dosages.

What Is Latuda?

Latuda is a common atypical medication that many patients who suffer from bipolar depression and schizophrenia use. Primarily, it works by balancing serotonin and dopamine hormonal levels in your brain. Latuda tablets are taken once a day with food and are only offered as a brand-name drug in the United States at this time.

In many studies, Latuda was effective at reducing schizophrenic symptoms and depressive symptoms in children and adults with bipolar disorder. Like other medications, Latuda has the potential for side effects, such as:

• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Restless
• Tremors
• Insomnia
• Weight gain
• Nausea

Typically, these mild side effects start disappearing within a few weeks but contact your doctor if you start noticing worsening symptoms. So, how does Latuda compare to other similar medications?

Research shows that Latuda was more effective than Abilify and Geodon and had fewer side effects than Seroquel and Zyprexa. 

Latuda Cost

Latuda prices are higher than other medications since it is only offered under a brand name. While different generic versions are available, they won't be sold in the United States until 2023. 

Currently, a 30-day supply costs over $1,600. Can you afford Latuda? Many people can't keep up with the high costs of many pharmaceutical drugs and resort to coupons, rebates, insurance, or stop taking the medication entirely. 

For patients without insurance, paying out-of-pocket for this medication and other treatments can quickly make treatments for schizophrenia unaffordable.

Why is Latuda so expensive in the United States? Long patents, lack of government regulation, and Big Pharma have created a triad of problems in the U.S. 

Without set prices, pharmaceutical companies have no limitations on the prices they can set. For many, brand-name drugs are significantly more costly than generic versions. One way you can combat this problem is by switching to generic drug options or asking your physician for cheaper alternatives. 

Cheaper Latuda Drug Options

Latuda is an expensive pharmaceutical drug that can cost patients thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, it is an effective and much-needed medication for schizophrenia and bipolar depressed patients. 

If rebates and insurance aren't lowering your cost, look at switching to a Canadian pharmacy. With qualified pharmacists and medication, PricePro Pharmacy offers brand-name Latuda tablets at a fraction of the cost. 

Check out our Latuda drug prices today for low-cost options!

Works Cited

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/latuda#side-effects

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/latuda/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/six-tips-for-lowering-your-prescription-drug-costs/

https://www.psycom.net/latuda-lurasidone/

https://www.verywellmind.com/list-atypical-antipsychotic-drugs-schizophrenia-2953113

https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/mental-health-schizophrenia

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia#:~:text=Schizophrenia%20affects%20approximately%2024%20million,as%20many%20other%20mental%20disorders.