Key takeaways
- Caplyta is prescribed to treat schizophrenia and depression related to bipolar I or II disorder in adults.
- Caplyta capsules come in strengths of 10.5 milligrams (mg), 21 mg, and 42 mg.
- The typical dosage of Caplyta is 42 mg taken once per day. However, doctors may recommend a lower dosage if you take certain medications or have liver problems.
The active ingredient in Caplyta is lumateperone. This drug belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. (These are also known as second-generation antipsychotics.)
This article describes the dosage of Caplyta, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about this drug, you can refer to this Caplyta overview.
The following table highlights the basics of Caplyta’s dosage.
| Recommended Caplyta dosage | Dosage for people taking certain other medications | Dosage for people with liver problems |
|---|---|---|
| 42 mg per day for schizophrenia or depression related to bipolar disorder | 10.5 mg per day or 21 mg per day | 21 mg per day |
Caplyta forms
Caplyta comes as capsules that you swallow.
Caplyta strengths
Caplyta capsules come in three strengths: 10.5 mg, 21 mg, and 42 mg.
The recommended dosage of Caplyta for schizophrenia and for depression related to bipolar I or II disorder is 42 mg taken once per day. Your doctor might recommend a lower dosage in certain situations:
- If you’re taking certain medications, your doctor may recommend a Caplyta dosage of 10.5 mg or 21 mg once per day. The lower dosage will help prevent any drug interactions.
- If you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend a Caplyta dosage of 21 mg once per day.
When treating depression related to bipolar disorder, Caplyta can be taken alone or with other medications (lithium or valproate).
Before starting Caplyta, be sure to tell your doctor what medications you take and if you have liver problems.
There is no dose range for Caplyta. Your Caplyta starting dose will likely be the same as your maintenance dose. The maximum dose is 42 mg per day.
This section describes dosages that are commonly taken or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
You’ll take Caplyta capsules by mouth once per day.
You can take this medication with or without food. But you should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you’re taking Caplyta. Grapefruit can keep your body from metabolizing (breaking down) Caplyta properly. This can lead to too much of the drug in your system, which can increase your risk of side effects from Caplyta.
You should always swallow Caplyta capsules whole with plenty of water. Avoid chewing, crushing, or opening the capsules.
How long do you take Caplyta?
Caplyta is typically taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine it’s safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take Caplyta long term.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have difficulty opening medication bottles or blister packs, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Caplyta in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose of Caplyta, but it’s still the same day, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to your next scheduled dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for the one you missed.
If you’re unsure whether you should take the missed dose, call your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Caplyta on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Caplyta than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects. If you’re concerned about taking too much Caplyta, ask your doctor what overdose symptoms you should watch for.
What to do in case you take too much Caplyta
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Caplyta. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Q:
Does Caplyta work better if you take it with food?
AnonymousA:
Based on recommendations from Caplyta’s manufacturer, you can take Caplyta with food or without it. But some studies have shown that taking Caplyta with a high fat meal may delay your body’s ability to metabolize (break down) the drug. This can increase the amount of medication in your body, which can increase your risk of Caplyta side effects.
Keep in mind that you should avoid certain foods, such as grapefruit and grapefruit juice, while taking this medication. These foods may increase your risk of side effects.
Whether you take Caplyta with or without food, you should take it the same way and at the same time every day. This helps maintain consistent levels of the medication in your body throughout each day.
Be sure to discuss any dosage concerns you have about this medication with your doctor or pharmacist.
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.
