Side Effects of Caplyta: Ranging from Common and Mild to Serious
Caplyta, a brand-name oral capsule, is prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar depression in adults. This medication belongs to the atypical antipsychotics drug class.
While Caplyta can provide relief for those suffering from these conditions, it's important to understand its potential side effects.
Common side effects of Caplyta for schizophrenia and bipolar depression include somnolence (sleepiness), dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, and headache. These symptoms are generally manageable and may subside over time.
Taking your time when changing body positions can help with the dizziness side effect. Drinking plenty of water, using over-the-counter lozenges or sprays for dry mouth, and practicing thorough oral hygiene can also help manage these side effects.
However, Caplyta also carries some serious side effects. Extrapyramidal symptoms, such as akathisia or tardive dyskinesia, are movement-related side effects that may be irreversible. Metabolic changes, including weight gain, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels, are also potential risks.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, and other serious symptoms, is another serious side effect. Seizures and orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when moving from sitting to standing up) are also possible.
Caplyta may also cause low white blood cell counts, which can affect immune function, and difficulty swallowing or coordination, which may impair activities like driving.
An increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions, particularly in children and young adults, is also associated with Caplyta.
It's worth noting that Caplyta has boxed warnings, the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about the increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis due to dementia. Causes of death include heart failure and stroke.
Despite these potential risks, Caplyta shows a favorable safety profile relative to other antipsychotics, with lower risk of metabolic and neurological side effects in short-term studies. However, monitoring for serious adverse effects is essential during treatment.
Caplyta may be prescribed along with a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproate to treat depressive episodes caused by bipolar I or bipolar II disorder. However, it's important to note that Caplyta is not approved to treat bipolar disorder.
As with any medication, it's crucial to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before starting treatment with Caplyta. Regular monitoring of weight, blood sugar, lipids, and neurological status is advised with Caplyta treatment.
[1] FDA Drug Safety Communication: Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Treated with Antipsychotic Drugs. (2005). [2] Data on file, Inozyme Pharma, Inc. [3] American Psychiatric Association. (2011). Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Bipolar Disorder. [4] American Psychiatric Association. (2019). APA Practice Guideline for the Pharmacological Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia. [5] Kapur, S., & Seeman, P. (2001). Antipsychotic-induced metabolic syndrome: a review of the evidence. The Lancet Neurology, 10(1), 23-30.
- Caplyta, while helpful for schizophrenia and bipolar depression, can lead to somnolence, dizziness, nausea, dry mouth, and headache.
- Adjusting body positions slowly can help with the dizziness side effect of Caplyta.
- Metabolic changes, such as weight gain, high blood sugar, diabetes, and abnormal cholesterol levels, are potential risks associated with Caplyta.
- Akathisia and tardive dyskinesia, movement-related side effects, are considered serious side effects of Caplyta.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition, is another serious side effect of Caplyta.
- Caplyta may also cause low white blood cell counts, seizures, and orthostatic hypotension.
- An increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions, particularly in children and young adults, is associated with Caplyta.
- Caplyta carries a boxed warning from the FDA about the increased risk of death in older adults with psychosis due to dementia.
- Caplyta may be used in conjunction with a mood stabilizer to treat depressive episodes caused by bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, although it is not approved for treating bipolar disorder.
- Regular monitoring of weight, blood sugar, lipids, and neurological status is recommended during Caplyta treatment.
