Lurasidone Malabsorption Following Bariatric Surgery: A Case Report.

Abstract

A significant segment of the United States adult population is obese. Bariatric surgery is one approach to weight loss when nonsurgical efforts have failed. In individuals with a body mass index ≥50, gastric reduction with duodenal switch is more effective than gastric bypass. More than half of bariatric surgery candidates report a history of mental illness and more than one third were taking at least one psychotropic medication at the time of surgery. Thus, the impact of surgery on absorption of psychiatric medications should be considered. Lurasidone, a second-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is recommended to be taken with food of at least 350 calories. We describe the case of a patient with incomplete response to lurasidone therapy in the year following a duodenal switch procedure. This case raises concern about the effect that the duodenal switch procedure may have on lurasidone absorption.