Caplyta (lumateperone) is a prescription oral capsule used to treat schizophrenia and depression related to certain types of bipolar disorder. Caplyta may not be safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Keep reading to learn more about Caplyta and reproductive health. And for a detailed overview of this drug, check out this article.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether this medication is a safe option for you.

It’s not known if Caplyta is safe to take during pregnancy. Studies show that newborns exposed to Caplyta during the third trimester of pregnancy may have unusual muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is used to.)

There is a pregnancy exposure registry for those who take atypical antipsychotic medications such as Caplyta during pregnancy. This registry collects data that can help determine what effects a drug may have on pregnant people and a fetus. To sign up for the pregnancy registry, call 866-961-2388 or go to this website.

Schizophrenia and pregnancy

It’s important to note that there are also risks to leaving schizophrenia or bipolar depression untreated during pregnancy.

Untreated schizophrenia poses risks to the mother that include the possibility of relapse, hospitalization, and suicide. Schizophrenia also increases risks to the fetus, including preterm birth. It’s not known whether these risks are directly due to the condition or other factors.

Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant before starting Caplyta. They can discuss the benefits and risks of taking this medication during this time.

Caplyta and fertility

It’s possible that Caplyta may cause fertility problems in both females and males. (In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.)

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about the risk of infertility with this medication.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects Caplyta could have on you or your child.

It’s not known if Caplyta is a safe treatment option while breastfeeding. One study showed the presence of low amounts of Caplyta in breast milk. However, there’s not enough data to know the effect it may have on milk production or on a child who is breastfed.

Talk with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed before starting Caplyta. They can discuss the benefits and risks of taking this medication during this time.

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.