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Why Is Latuda So Expensive?
In 2019, prescription drug prices increased by an average of 10.5 percent. Who is leading the pharmaceutical businesses in costly prices? The United States far outnumbers other countries for costly prescription medications.
People suffering from mental illnesses are some of the hardest hit population groups around the world – for a variety of reasons. Latuda is a drug to treat schizophrenia, but why is Latuda so expensive?
Compared to other mental health drugs, Latuda falls into similar pharmaceutical traps. How can you save money and take your prescribed medication?
Latuda Drug
Before diving into skyrocketing prices, it helps to better explain Latuda and its function. Latuda, or Lurasidone if using the generic brand, can treat schizophrenia and is an atypical antipsychotic (more on this later). Many patients find this medication beneficial for long-term treatment.
This drug works by regulating your dopamine and serotonin. This helps stop common symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and lack of motivation.
Like many other drugs, Latuda can help more mental health illnesses outside of schizophrenia. Its impact on critical hormone levels also makes it an ideal treatment for depression in bipolar or dementia patients.
Unfortunately, managing the nature of the symptoms of schizophrenia requires lifetime treatment. Medication is the frontline defense in managing schizophrenia’s discouraging symptoms. For that reason, it is crucial that you take this medication daily and do not miss a dose.
Along those lines, don’t completely stop taking Latuda before consulting with your physician.
You should take Latuda with food and dosages can range from 40 mg to 60 mg – if you are treating bipolar depression then dosages can start as low as 20 mg.
Many common symptoms of schizophrenia can start resolving after one to two weeks of starting this drug. These include symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and motivation. It’s important to keep in mind that the full effect of Latuda can take up to two to three months. Be patient and report any negative side effects to your physician.
Latuda Drug Side Effects
Often, people stop taking a medication because of the negative side effects. Yet, the nature of schizophrenia makes stopping a drug dangerous to your mental, emotional, and physical health
Common side effects of Latuda include decreased libido, osteoporosis, impaired temperature regulation, and weight gain. Latuda can also lead to symptoms of tardive dyskinesia which results in tremors or stiffness.
Additionally, an increased risk of metabolic issues can arise. Not only can this lead to pesky weight gain, but can put you at risk of having elevated blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Your doctor might want to run blood work while you are on this medication to check your range.
In extreme cases, the Latuda drug can result in cardiac arrest from an arrhythmia. You should only take the smallest dosage suggested. Your physician will be in charge of monitoring changes and increasing the dose – if necessary.
Prescription Drug Costs
Prescriptions drugs are costly for a variety of reasons, with one of the leading factors being lack of regulation. Specifically in the United States, while drugs run through a variety of tests and measures, there are few things to regulate the cost once it is out on the market. In the States, these companies are known as “Big Pharma.”
As the name suggests, pharmaceutical companies run the game once their drug is marketed. In addition to lack of regulation, pharmaceutical companies also receive a patent once their new drug hits the market. This prevents competitors from stealing their idea and is designed to promote further research.
This patent lasts 20 years.
That means that you can suffer from paying for an expensive – necessary – drug for two decades before a generic brand is released to offer some reprieve. That reprieve may be short-lived.
Some insurance companies won’t cover brand-name medications. This makes prices even higher for certain individuals. Compared to other countries, Canada and Europe’s insurance companies don’t have quite as much of a stronghold. Due to fewer companies, there is more of a free market nature which promotes more cost-friendly prices.
Why Is Latuda So Expensive?
Going back to the original question, why is the Latuda oral drug priced so high? Latuda falls under an atypical antipsychotic umbrella. It is often used as a secondary approach to other medications. Yet, the tides are turning and many physicians are prescribing it as an initial approach to treating schizophrenia.
Currently, the rise in atypical antipsychotic medication is thought to be contributing to the rise in pharmaceutical costs for the treatment of mental health disorders.
In the United States, treatment of schizophrenia costs up to $65 billion annually. If you have insurance, you can still be paying out-of-pocket expenses up to $57,000. What is the most expensive factor when treating schizophrenia?
Rising drug costs.
If you want to check Latuda prices, you can find online pharmacies that significantly drop the prices. In the United States, a 40 mg dosage is over $1,500 for a 30 day supply. Contrarily, online pharmacy companies based out of Canada drop the price to $205 for a 90 day supply.
Canadian Pharmacies
As you can see – the benefit of looking at online pharmacies for the Latuda drug can save you hundreds of dollars. Canada and Europe’s design to reject expensive drugs drives the cost lower compared to the United States and lets consumers all over the world have better access to vital medication.
Online suppliers can’t use insurance. Yet, they are regulated by onsite pharmacists to check and fill your prescriptions. Better yet, the medication can be shipped right to your door.
How much can you save by going online? Canada prescriptions can save you upwards of 90% on both brand and generic names.
Take The Savings
Insurance is helpful to drive costs lower and make sure your health care costs are covered. What happens when insurance rejects a brand medication or doesn’t cut costs low enough to make them affordable for you?
Check out a trusted online pharmacy that is guaranteed to provide you the lowest prices for necessary medications. You can stop asking yourself why is Latuda so expensive and instead transition to affordable and deliverable medication services.
Works Cited
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Mental-Health-Medications/Types-of-Medication/Lurasidone-(Latuda)
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/ajpb_11marapr_wilson_107to115