If you have schizophrenia or certain types of depression, your doctor might suggest Caplyta as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat the following conditions in adults:

When treating bipolar depression, Caplyta can be taken alone or with other medications (lithium or valproate).

Caplyta belongs to a group of drugs called atypical antipsychotics. (These are also known as second-generation antipsychotics.)

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

This article describes the dosage of Caplyta, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Caplyta, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Caplyta’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Caplyta, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

This section covers common dosage information for Caplyta. Before you start this medication, your doctor will discuss dosage instructions specific to your needs.

What is Caplyta’s form?

Caplyta comes as capsules that you swallow.

What strength does Caplyta come in?

Caplyta capsules come in one strength of 42 milligrams (mg).

What is the typical dosage of Caplyta?

With some drugs, your doctor will typically start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. But Caplyta is slightly different. There is no dose range for Caplyta. Your Caplyta starting dose will likely be the same as your maintenance dose.

The information below 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.

Dosing for schizophrenia

The recommended dosage of Caplyta for schizophrenia is 42 mg taken once daily.

Dosing for bipolar depression

The recommended dosage of Caplyta for bipolar depression is 42 mg taken once daily.

Is Caplyta taken long term?

Yes, 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.

You’ll take Caplyta capsules by mouth once daily. 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.

You should always swallow Caplyta capsules whole with plenty of water. Avoid chewing, crushing, or opening the capsules.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips that may make it easier.

For information on Caplyta expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

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 trouble 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.

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 the American Association of Poison Control 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.

The sections above describe the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Caplyta for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Caplyta without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Caplyta exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • If I take lithium, will my dosage change if I take Caplyta along with it?
  • Can I take a lower dose of Caplyta if I have liver problems?
  • What is my maximum dose of Caplyta?

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Q:

Does Caplyta work better if you take it with food?

Anonymous

A:

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 side effects.

Keep in mind that certain foods, such as grapefruit and grapefruit juice, should be avoided while taking this medication. These foods may increase your risk of side effects from Caplyta.

Whether you take Caplyta with or without food, you should take it the same way and at the same time every day. This way, your body has consistent levels of the medication 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.