Latuda vs Abilify, Benefits, Side Effects, Price, Dosage, a Guide

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Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Tue Mar 14 2023)

With many variations of medications entering the market for the treatment of similar diseases, there’s plenty of confusion as to which medication could work the best for you. While the complications might be a little less with some medications, there can be much confusion around psychiatric drugs. This is because they tend to treat the psychological aspects of a person.

This article will give a clear understanding of the two antipsychotic medications – Lauda vs Abilify.

But first, here’s our quick summary on Latuda vs Abilify, then we’ll go through some of the more important aspects you need to know.

Latuda vs Abilify? Both Latuda and Abilify fall into the category of antipsychotic medications. However, Abilify treats psychiatric conditions more towards manic episodes, whereas, Latuda is directed more towards depressive episodes. Latuda is relatively more expensive than Abilify and performs quicker than Abilify.

Latuda vs Abilify – What They Treat

Latuda is a medication prescribed mainly for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Synovia manufactures it, and there is not any generic version available at the time of writing.

Abilify is mainly used for treating medical conditions ranging from schizophrenia to other disorders like bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Abilify can also treat patients with Tourette’s syndrome and autism. Otsuka manufactures this medication, and there are generic versions available for this medication.

However, both these medications fall into the group of antipsychotic medications and may be used for conditions not listed.

Latuda focuses more on treating the conditions of depressive episodes, whereas Abilify focuses more on treating psychiatric conditions of manic episodes.

This means that your doctor may opt for Latuda over Abilify if they feel a specific psychiatric condition of a patient may be leading to depressive episodes rather than manic episodes, and vice versa.

Latuda vs Abilify – Price

In general, all antipsychotic medications can be expensive. However, when comparing these two, Latuda is more expensive than Abilify.

The retail price for Latuda is around $1,400 per 30 tablets. The price for Abilify is about $850 per 30 tablets. The prices of these medications, which are subject to insurance, vary according to the provider.

Retail prices for drugs can be very high. But there are alternative ways of obtaining these prescriptions at a set monthly fee of just $60.00 per month.

Now that we understand more about the price, let’s see how the dosage comparisons for each one stacks up.

Latuda vs Abilify – Dosage

Latuda is prescribed for treating schizophrenia in adults and adolescents age 13 to 17 years old.

Latuda can also be prescribed for treating depressive episodes from bipolar disorder in adults and children age 10 to 17 years. And in the case of bipolar disorder, it can be used alone or alongside other medications.

Latuda is available as oral tablets only. These tablets are available in strengths of 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg.

The maximum concentration of this medication in the blood is reached within 1-3 hours after taking the medication. Latuda is usually started at a low dose of 20 or 40 mg, depending on the medical condition being treated.

Abilify is usually prescribed for treating schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 to 17 years old.

Abilify is available in the forms of oral tablets, disintegrating oral tablets, and oral solution. The most commonly used Latuda tablets come in strengths of 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 30 mg.

The maximum concentration of Abilify medication in the blood is reached within 3-5 hours after taking the medication. It’s also possible to inject this medication. When injected, the maximum concentration is reached within 1-3 hours after administering.

If you’re prescribed any of these methods and are looking to change, then speak with your medical practitioner who will advise you on when you can stop or change the dosage.

Latuda vs Abilify – Pregnancy

Latuda is in pregnancy category B, and Abilify is in pregnancy category C on the FDA Category List.

Animal studies using Abilify have shown adverse effects to the fetus, but there is still no highly sufficient research carried out on this.

There is currently no clinical research data verifying the safety and efficacy of using Latuda during pregnancy. So, it’s advised that one should consult a doctor on whether or not either of these medications is suitable during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

Latuda vs Abilify – Drug Interactions

Both Latuda and Abilify could potentially interact with rifamycin’s, azole antifungals, or other medicines that can make a person drowsy, such as pain meds or muscle relaxers.

Apart from these, CYP3A4 inhibitors (erythromycin, clarithromycin, fluconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir, diltiazem, verapamil, etc.) and CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort, bosentan, etravirine, modafinil, efavirenz, etc.) may also interact with both Latuda and Abilify.

Latuda can also have interactions with the following:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungal medications
• Medications used for the treatment of HIV or Aids.
• Sedatives, sleeping pills, tranquilizers
• Blood pressure medications
• Antihistamines
• Phenobarbital
• Carbamazepine
• Quinidine or phenytoin

Patients that are taking a CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, paroxetine, fluoxetine, etc.) with Abilify, may need a decreased dose of Abilify. CYP2D6 inhibitors can increase one’s exposure of aripiprazole, leading to adverse reactions.

Apart from these CYP2D6 inhibitors, antihypertensives and benzodiazepines can also interact with Abilify. These drug interactions can potentially cause abnormal levels in one’s blood pressure.

It should be mentioned that you should not take Abilify if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients contained in Abilify.

Talk to your doctor about any other medications you are taking including over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. Your healthcare provider will be able to give you specific advice based on your condition and medicines you are taking.

Latuda vs Abilify – Side Effects

Both Latuda and Abilify have similar side effects. Side effects specific to Latuda include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Weight gain
• Decreased sex drive
• Difficulty having an orgasm
• Impotence
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Agitation
• Breast swelling or discharge
• Loss of appetite
• Shaking and nervousness
• Muscle stiffness
• Mask-like facial expression
• Inability to keep still or focused
• Restlessness
• Missed menstrual periods

Side effects specific to Abilify include:

• Lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Excess saliva or drooling
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Stomach upset
• Tiredness
• Choking or trouble swallowing
• Constipation

Latuda vs Abilify – Effectiveness

The effectiveness of one of these medications over and above the other cannot be clearly stated. This is because although both medications treat psychiatric conditions, their focus is on different areas.

Abilify focuses more on psychiatric conditions driven by manic episodes, whereas Latuda focuses on psychiatric conditions driven by depressive episodes. However, when comparing the performance of these medications in treating the relevant medical condition, Latuda takes the lead.

This is because Latuda starts improving the symptoms of medical conditions within 3-4 days. Whereas, for Abilify, the performance period can range anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. But even if Abilify starts working within a few days, one may not be able to feel the full effects of the medication until 2 to 4 weeks.

However, overall, both these medications are equally effective at treating the conditions, apart from their differences in the performance period.

To Close

We hope this has been useful in understanding more about Latuda vs Abilify, the effectiveness, side effects, and more.

We aim to provide accurate information, but for your specific circumstances, we would always highly recommend consulting your medical practitioner before taking any action.

If you’re struggling to afford your medications, then we may be able to help. So, if you are having trouble affording any of the prescription medications that you need, then contact Prescription Hope.

We work with pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide individuals with the medications they need at a set, affordable cost. Enroll with us and start paying just $60.00 a month through Prescription Hope’s medication access service for each prescribed med.