Lavione (Lurasidone Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Lavione Used For?
Lavione contains lurasidone hydrochloride and belongs to a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics. It helps correct chemical imbalances in the brain that may cause mental illness.
Primary Uses
Lavione is used to treat adults and adolescents (aged 13 years and over) with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental illness with disturbances in thinking, feelings and behaviour.
How It Works
Lavione helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, which may cause mental illness. It belongs to a group of medicines called atypical antipsychotics.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Lavione is addictive or habit forming.
How to Take Lavione
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day based on your condition and other medicines you may be taking. Follow their instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
Unless your doctor gives you other directions, take Lavione only once a day during or immediately after eating. Consider taking it after your evening meal. Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water – do not chew them. Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel well.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking Lavione as you would normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose as this may increase your chance of getting unwanted side effects.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- restlessness, agitation, anxiety
- extrapyramidal symptoms including Parkinsonism (unusual movements, trembling and shaking of hands and fingers, twisting movements of the body, rigid posture, stiffness of arms and legs, slow movements)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- severe allergic reaction (skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing)
- temporary paralysis, weakness of muscles or muscle pain
- severe spasms in muscles of shoulders, neck and upper body
- worm-like movements of tongue or uncontrolled movements of mouth, cheeks, or jaw
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome (sudden increase in body temperature, confusion, sweating, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness, high blood pressure)
- suicidal thoughts or behaviour
- stroke in elderly people with dementia-related psychosis
- blood clot symptoms (sudden severe headache, loss of vision, coordination, slurred speech, shortness of breath, chest pain, numbness)
- frequent infections (fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before taking Lavione. Some people should not take this medicine, and others need special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Lavione
Do not take Lavione if you are allergic to lurasidone hydrochloride or any ingredients in the medicine, or if you are taking certain medicines including ketoconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, clarithromycin, or St. John’s Wort.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have dementia-psychosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, blood disorders, diabetes, seizures, suicidal thoughts, heart problems, high or low blood pressure, blood clots, stroke, liver or kidney problems, breast cancer, pituitary tumours, high prolactin levels, difficulty swallowing, weight gain, or sleep apnoea.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Lavione is not recommended during pregnancy. Newborn babies exposed to antipsychotic medicines during the third trimester are at risk of movement problems and withdrawal symptoms. It is recommended that you do not breastfeed while taking Lavione as it may pass into breast milk.
Elderly Patients With Dementia: Lavione is not approved for treatment of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis or behavioural disorders. Medicines like Lavione can increase the risk of death in elderly people who have memory loss (dementia).
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Lavione and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Lavione as they may affect the amount of Lavione in your blood.
- ketoconazole or voriconazole (used to treat certain fungal infections)
- ritonavir (used to treat HIV infection)
- carbamazepine (used to treat convulsions)
- phenytoin (used to treat convulsions and some heart conditions)
- rifampicin or clarithromycin (used to treat bacterial infections)
- St. John’s Wort (hypericum perforatum, used to treat depression)
Alcohol & Driving
Lavione can affect your ability to drive and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to stay safe.
Alcohol
Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol you drink. People who drink excessive quantities of alcohol should not take Lavione.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Lavione affects you. Lavione has the potential to impair judgement, thinking or motor skills in some people. Speak with your doctor about when you can resume these activities.
Temperature Regulation
Do not become too hot or dehydrated while taking Lavione as your body’s ability to reduce core body temperature may be affected. Tell your doctor if you participate in activities that may contribute to elevation in core body temperature (exercising strenuously, exposure to extreme heat) or subject you to dehydration.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack until it’s time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Keep where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Lavione, urgent medical attention may be needed. Symptoms may include fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure (dizziness, light-headedness), reduced alertness, seizures, and uncontrolled muscle spasms affecting the head and neck. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source does not specify how long Lavione takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress and can provide information about when you might expect to see improvements in your condition.
Yes, Lavione should be taken during eating or immediately after eating. Consider taking it after your evening meal.
No, there is no evidence that Lavione is addictive or habit forming.
Do not stop taking Lavione suddenly as your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects. Your doctor may gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping completely.
Talk to your doctor about how much alcohol you drink. People who drink excessive quantities of alcohol should not take Lavione.
Lavione is not approved for treatment of elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis or behavioural disorders. Medicines like Lavione can increase the risk of death in elderly people who have memory loss (dementia).
If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking Lavione normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.