Key Takeaways

  • Caplyta is used to treat schizophrenia and depressive episodes related to bipolar disorder. More common side effects of Caplyta can vary depending on which condition is being treated.
  • Some of the more common side effects when taking Caplyta for schizophrenia include drowsiness, decreased alertness, and dry mouth. When taken for bipolar depression, dizziness, decreased alertness, nausea, drowsiness, and dry mouth were more commonly reported for Caplyta.
  • In most cases, side effects of Caplyta should be temporary, and some may be easily managed.

Caplyta is used in adults to treat:

The active ingredient in Caplyta is lumateperone. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) The drug comes as a capsule that you swallow.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Caplyta can cause. For other information about the drug, including details about its uses, see this Caplyta overview.

Caplyta has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Boxed warnings for Caplyta” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Caplyta treatment. These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Caplyta in studies. These side effects can vary depending on what condition the drug is being used to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Caplyta for schizophrenia include:

More common side effects in people taking Caplyta for bipolar depression include:

  • dizziness
  • decreased alertness
  • nausea
  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth (see “Tips for managing side effects”)

People who take Caplyta may experience mild side effects. These either go away with time or can be managed with treatment. These side effects usually aren’t bothersome enough to make someone stop taking the drug. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Caplyta include:

  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • decreased alertness
  • weight gain
  • dry mouth (see “Tips for managing side effects”)

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Caplyta unless your doctor recommends it.

Caplyta may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed previously. See the Caplyta prescribing information for details.

Caplyta may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Caplyta’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Caplyta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with Caplyta include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Caplyta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Caplyta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Caplyta can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Caplyta.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Caplyta, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Here are answers to some common questions about Caplyta’s side effects.

How long do side effects of Caplyta usually last?

It depends. Most side effects of Caplyta are mild and temporary. These should be easily managed and go away within a few days to weeks.

But there are some side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, that may cause long-term effects.

If you have questions about how long side effects may last with this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Also, be sure to let your doctor know if you experience side effects that are bothersome or won’t go away.

Does stopping Caplyta cause withdrawal symptoms?

No, Caplyta did not cause withdrawal effects in studies. (Withdrawal refers to effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug you’re dependent on. With dependence, your body becomes used to a drug and needs it to function as usual.)

But stopping treatment with any antipsychotic medication, such as Caplyta, can cause effects or symptoms of the condition it’s being used to treat to reappear. Your doctor will let you know how to safely stop taking Caplyta if you need to end treatment.

Can Caplyta cause any cardiac side effects?

Maybe. Caplyta studies reported increases in cholesterol and blood sugar levels among those taking the drug. In turn, these side effects can increase your risk of heart and blood vessel problems.

Caplyta belongs to a group of drugs called antipsychotics. This group of drugs is associated with serious cardiac side effects. Examples include increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and sudden cardiac death. Studies of Caplyta did not report any serious cardiac side effects.

The drug’s manufacturer did not study Caplyta in people who had a heart attack or heart failure. If you have a history of heart disease, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Caplyta.

Does drinking lots of water help with Caplyta’s side effects?

Yes, it’s a good idea to drink a lot of water during Caplyta treatment. To help prevent a few of the drug’s side effects, it’s recommended that you avoid becoming dehydrated.

One side effect reported in studies of Caplyta is difficulty regulating body temperature. Drinking lots of water can help you avoid getting too hot while taking Caplyta. Other ways to help prevent this side effect include not exercising too strenuously and staying out of bright sunlight in hot weather.

Another side effect of Caplyta is low blood pressure. If you don’t drink enough fluids, the risk of this side effect is greater.

Ask your doctor about other ways to help prevent Caplyta’s side effects.

Caplyta has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

Caplyta has a boxed warning for increased risk of death in older adults who have psychosis related to dementia. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Studies have shown that antipsychotic drugs such as Caplyta increase the risk of death in adults ages 65 and older with dementia-related psychosis. Dementia involves memory loss, and psychosis refers to losing touch with reality.

Due to this risk, doctors usually will not prescribe Caplyta to older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

What might help

If you’re an older adult with psychosis related to dementia, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Caplyta. They’ll discuss with you other treatments for your condition.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Caplyta has a boxed warning about suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

In addition to being an antipsychotic drug, Caplyta is also an antidepressant that’s used to treat depressive episodes related to bipolar disorder. Antidepressants are known to increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children and young adults up to the age of 24 years. (Note that Caplyta isn’t prescribed for use in children.)

The risk of this side effect is higher when a person first starts Caplyta treatment or their doctor changes their dose.

Symptoms to watch for include:

  • mood changes
  • anxiety
  • sleep changes
  • feeling alone
  • not enjoying activities that you used to enjoy

What might help

Due to the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, doctors will closely monitor people who are 24 years or younger during Caplyta treatment.

Talk with your doctor about how you will be monitored during Caplyta treatment. If you notice any concerning symptoms, let your doctor know right away.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Caplyta side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Dry mouth

In studies of Caplyta, dry mouth was a common side effect. It occurred in people taking the drug to treat either schizophrenia or depressive episodes related to bipolar disorder.

What might help

There are ways to treat this side effect so you can keep taking Caplyta.

Increasing how much water you drink is one option. This may help prevent some of Caplyta’s other side effects. (For more information, see the “FAQ about Caplyta’s side effects” section.) And drinking more water is good for your overall health.

You can also try sucking on sugar-free lozenges or chewing sugar-free gum when your mouth feels dry. If you use a product that contains sugar, be sure to rinse your mouth with water. This helps decrease your risk of oral thrush (a yeast infection inside the mouth).

Your dentist may recommend a mouth spray to increase saliva production.

If you have dry mouth from taking Caplyta, talk with your doctor about strategies to treat it.

Tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a rare side effect reported in studies of antipsychotic drugs such as Caplyta. It involves unusual, sudden movements that the person experiencing this side effect can’t control. These movements often occur in the arms, legs, eyes, and tongue.

This side effect can happen during your Caplyta treatment or after your treatment has ended. It can sometimes be permanent.

What might help

Because this side effect is serious, your doctor will likely not prescribe Caplyta if you’re able to take a different medication instead.

If you have this side effect, your doctor will likely have you take a different drug for your condition. Tardive dyskinesia will sometimes go away after a person switches medications. Talk with your doctor about the risks of tardive dyskinesia from taking Caplyta.

Low white blood cells

Low white blood cell levels have been reported in studies of Caplyta. This was a rare but serious side effect.

Your body uses white blood cells to fight infections. So if you don’t have enough of these cells, you’re more likely to catch a serious infection from a virus, bacterium, or fungus. The risk of serious infection increases in people who already have immune system problems before starting Caplyta.

What might help

Before you begin treatment with Caplyta, your doctor will check your white blood cell levels with a blood test. They’ll periodically monitor your white blood cell count while you take Caplyta to make sure your levels stay normal. If they fall below a certain safe level, your doctor may temporarily pause your treatment or recommend a different medication for your condition.

Consider the following important information before starting Caplyta.

Caplyta has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see “Boxed warnings for Caplyta.”

Other precautions

Before taking Caplyta, discuss your health history with your doctor. Caplyta may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Q:

Is there a way to avoid gaining weight while taking Caplyta?

Anonymous

A:

Weight gain is a possible side effect of antipsychotic drugs such as Caplyta.

You may gain a small amount of weight whether you take Caplyta for schizophrenia or depressive episodes related to bipolar disorder. But it’s also possible that you won’t gain any weight from taking this drug. Side effects of any drug can vary from person to person.

Talk with your doctor about ways to manage your weight during Caplyta treatment. A healthy diet and regular exercise may be good ways to manage your weight.

If you often try new diets, talk with your doctor about whether such diets are safe during your treatment with Caplyta. Also, let them know that you’re interested in managing your weight. They can advise you on ways to do so safely.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.