Caplyta 10.5mg Capsules
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication as directed, with or without food, and continue taking it even if you start to feel better. It's essential to follow your doctor's or healthcare provider's advice on dosage and duration of treatment.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, avoiding bathrooms and areas where children and pets can access it. Keep all medications in a safe location and out of reach of children and pets. When disposing of unused or expired medication, do not flush it down the toilet or pour it down the drain unless instructed to do so. Instead, check with your pharmacist for guidance on the best disposal method or participate in a local drug take-back program if available.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for a missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Caplyta with food to help your body absorb it better and reduce stomach upset.
- Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules; swallow them whole.
- Avoid alcohol while taking this medication, as it can increase drowsiness and other side effects.
- Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how Caplyta affects you, as it can cause drowsiness or dizziness.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, especially strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers.
- Regularly monitor your weight and discuss any significant changes with your doctor.
- Attend all scheduled doctor appointments and lab tests to monitor for potential side effects.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash or hives
+ Itching or red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
+ Wheezing or tightness in the chest or throat
+ Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood sugar, including:
+ Confusion or feeling sleepy
+ Unusual thirst or hunger
+ Frequent urination
+ Flushing or fast breathing
+ Breath that smells like fruit
Severe dizziness or fainting
Seizures
Trouble controlling body movements, twitching, or changes in balance
Difficulty swallowing or speaking
Inability to sweat during physical activity or in warm temperatures
Low white blood cell count, which can increase the risk of infection (rarely, infections can be fatal)
Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or sore throat (especially if you have a history of low white blood cell count)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, characterized by:
+ Fever
+ Muscle cramps or stiffness
+ Dizziness
+ Severe headache
+ Confusion or changes in thinking
+ Fast or irregular heartbeat
+ Excessive sweating
Tardive dyskinesia, a severe muscle problem that may occur, especially in people with diabetes or older adults (particularly older females), characterized by:
+ Trouble controlling body movements
+ Problems with the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw, such as tongue sticking out, puffing cheeks, mouth puckering, or chewing
Other Possible Side Effects
Most people experience few or no side effects while taking this medication. However, some common side effects may occur, including:
Dizziness or drowsiness
Upset stomach
Dry mouth
Weight gain
Headache
If any of these side effects or other symptoms bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor or seek medical attention. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- New or worsening suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Uncontrolled muscle movements (e.g., grimacing, lip smacking, tongue protrusion, tremors)
- Severe dizziness or fainting, especially when standing up
- Signs of high blood sugar (e.g., increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, weakness)
- Signs of high cholesterol or triglycerides (often no symptoms, requires blood tests)
- Fever, muscle rigidity, confusion, sweating, or changes in heart rate/blood pressure (Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome)
- Rash, hives, or other signs of allergic reaction
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have liver disease, as this may affect the safety and efficacy of the medication.
* Any medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins. This is crucial because certain medications, such as those used to treat HIV, infections, seizures, and other conditions, may interact with this drug and should not be taken concurrently.
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential drug interactions or health problems that may be relevant to your treatment with this medication. Therefore, it is vital to discuss all of your medications and health problems with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure safe and effective treatment.
To guarantee your safety, always check with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication. This includes prescription and OTC drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as well as any changes to your dosage regimen. By sharing this information and following your doctor's guidance, you can minimize potential risks and maximize the benefits of your treatment.
Precautions & Cautions
When starting this medication, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until you understand how it affects you. To minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, and be cautious when climbing stairs.
Regularly check your blood work and other laboratory tests as advised by your doctor. Be aware that medications like this one can increase the risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain, which may contribute to heart and brain blood vessel disease. Monitor your blood sugar levels as directed by your doctor.
Before consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other forms of cannabis, or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause drowsiness, consult with your doctor. In hot weather or during physical activity, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and avoid consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
This medication may increase the risk of seizures, particularly in individuals with a history of seizures. Discuss your risk of seizures with your doctor. Additionally, this medication can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired balance, which may lead to falls and resulting injuries, such as fractures.
Older adults with dementia who take medications like this one have a higher risk of experiencing strokes, which can be fatal. Note that this medication is not approved for treating dementia-related mental health issues. If you are 65 or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
This medication may affect fertility, potentially leading to difficulties in becoming pregnant or fathering a child. If you plan to conceive, discuss this with your doctor before starting the medication. If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks to you and your baby. Taking this medication during the third trimester of pregnancy may cause side effects or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Sedation
- Dizziness
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Extrapyramidal symptoms
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment is supportive, including maintaining an open airway, ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation, and monitoring cardiovascular function and vital signs. Gastric lavage and activated charcoal may be considered if appropriate.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir)
- Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, St. John's Wort)
Major Interactions
Moderate Interactions
- Antihypertensives (additive hypotensive effects)
- Drugs that prolong QT interval (theoretical risk, monitor)
Minor Interactions
- Not specifically identified as minor interactions with clinical significance requiring intervention.
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: Risk of weight gain
Timing: Before initiation
Rationale: Risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes
Timing: Before initiation
Rationale: Risk of dyslipidemia
Timing: Before initiation
Rationale: Risk of orthostatic hypotension
Timing: Before initiation
Rationale: Risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD)
Timing: Before initiation
Rationale: Assess cardiac risk factors
Timing: Before initiation
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Monthly for first few months, then quarterly
Target: Stable
Action Threshold: Significant increase (e.g., >5% from baseline)
Frequency: At 3 months, then annually
Target: Normal
Action Threshold: Elevated or increasing levels
Frequency: At 3 months, then annually
Target: Normal
Action Threshold: Elevated or increasing levels
Frequency: Regularly, especially during dose titration
Target: Normal
Action Threshold: Significant orthostatic changes or sustained hypertension/tachycardia
Frequency: Every 6-12 months, or if new/worsening symptoms
Target: Absence of abnormal movements
Action Threshold: Emergence or worsening of EPS/TD
Frequency: Regularly to assess efficacy and adverse effects
Target: Improvement in target symptoms, stable mood
Action Threshold: Worsening of symptoms, emergence of new psychiatric symptoms
Symptom Monitoring
- Changes in mood or behavior (e.g., agitation, aggression, suicidal ideation)
- Signs of metabolic changes (e.g., increased thirst, urination, hunger)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially upon standing)
- Involuntary movements (e.g., tremors, restlessness, grimacing)
- Sedation or somnolence
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Dry mouth
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to atypical antipsychotics, including Caplyta, during pregnancy. Available data from published observational studies on atypical antipsychotics have not reported a clear association with major birth defects or miscarriage. Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Lumateperone and its metabolites are present in the milk of lactating rats. It is unknown if lumateperone is present in human milk. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for Caplyta and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Caplyta or from the underlying maternal condition. Monitor breastfed infants for sedation, irritability, poor feeding, and abnormal movements.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients. A Black Box Warning regarding increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders applies to this class of drugs, though Caplyta is not approved for pediatric use.
Geriatric Use
Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Caplyta is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. In clinical trials for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, no overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between geriatric and younger adult patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Dose adjustment for moderate hepatic impairment applies to all adults, including geriatric patients.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Always take Caplyta with food to ensure proper absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
- Lumateperone is a unique antipsychotic with a distinct mechanism of action (SDAM) that may offer a different side effect profile compared to other atypical antipsychotics, particularly regarding metabolic effects (less weight gain, less impact on glucose/lipids).
- Monitor for orthostatic hypotension, especially at treatment initiation and during dose adjustments.
- Due to its CYP3A4 metabolism, careful consideration of drug-drug interactions is crucial, especially with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers, which are contraindicated.
- While the 10.5mg capsule exists, the approved therapeutic dose for schizophrenia and bipolar depression is 42mg once daily. The lower strengths are not for maintenance therapy in these indications.
- Patients should be advised about the potential for sedation and to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how the drug affects them.
Alternative Therapies
- Other atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole, lurasidone, cariprazine, brexpiprazole)
- Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine) for bipolar depression
- Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs) for bipolar depression (often used in combination with mood stabilizers or antipsychotics)