Drug Guide

Generic Name

Lumateperone Tosylate

Brand Names Caplyta

Classification

Therapeutic: Antipsychotic, atypical

Pharmacological: Dopamine-serotonin modulator

FDA Approved Indications

  • Schizophrenia in adults

Mechanism of Action

Lumateperone modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors, acting as a dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, which helps balance neurotransmission implicated in schizophrenia.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Starting dose of 42 mg once daily orally with or without food. Adjustments based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric:

Geriatric:

Renal Impairment: No specific adjustment required, but caution advised in severe impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dose adjustment recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed, Tmax approximately 1-2 hours.

Distribution: Widely distributed, highly protein-bound.

Metabolism: Primarily metabolized in the liver via CYP3A4.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in feces and urine.

Half Life: Approximately 21-27 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to lumateperone or its components

Precautions

  • History of QT prolongation, cardiac arrhythmias, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or other significant cardiovascular conditions.
  • Use with caution in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis due to increased risk of death.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Somnolence (Common)
  • Dry mouth (Common)
  • Nausea (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • QT prolongation (Uncommon)
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (Rare)
  • Tardive dyskinesia (Uncommon)
  • Hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia (Uncommon)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CYP3A4 inhibitors (increase lumateperone levels)
  • CYP3A4 inducers (decrease levels)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of neuroleptic side effects, including movement disorders, metabolic changes, and cardiovascular status.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for injury related to dizziness or sedation.
  • Risk for metabolic imbalance.

Implementation: Administer according to prescribed schedule, monitor for adverse effects, and educate patient about symptoms to report.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness in symptom control and monitor adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication as prescribed, without abrupt discontinuation.
  • Report symptoms of movement disorders, QT prolongation (e.g., palpitations, dizziness), or significant side effects.
  • Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants.
  • Be aware of potential for increased blood sugar levels.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
  • Potential for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Genetic Factors: Genetic variations in CYP3A4 may affect metabolism.

Lab Test Interference: May slightly alter blood glucose or lipid levels.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Dizziness, drowsiness, tachycardia, hypotension, or extrapyramidal symptoms.

Treatment: Supportive care, monitor vital signs, and consider gastric lavage or activated charcoal if ingestion is recent.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Stability: Stable until the expiration date on the container.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.