Loxapine : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Loxapine is a first-generation typical antipsychotic drug, used primarily in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Dose : 20-100 mg
Route : Oral, Inhalational for powder
Plasma Half-life : 4 hours (Oral), 8 hours (Inhalational powder)
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : Variable
Chemical formula : C18H18ClN3O
IUPAC name : 8-chloro-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)benzo[b][1,4]benzoxazepine
Trade name : Loxitane, Loxapac, Adasuve, Loxapine Delta, Rosup, Apo-Loxapine, Lopac, Losagen, Xylac
Therapeutic uses : Loxapine has following usage :
- Indicated as anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses particularly Schizophrenia. It is most effective in treating positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Can be used as anti-emetic agent thus, useful in the prevention of nausea and vomiting, particularly treatment of drug-induced nausea. It is effective in morning sickness but not in motion sickness.
- Can be used as tranquilizers to manage agitated and disruptive behavior secondary to other disorders.
- May relieve anxiety but should not be used for simple anxiety because of autonomic and extrapyramidal side effects.
- May be used for Organic brain syndromes on a short-term basis.
- Rare indications includes Alcoholic hallucinosis, Huntington’s disease and Gilles de Ia Tourette’s syndrome.
Side effects : Adverse effects of the Loxapine can occur in practically all patients and are significant in about 80% ; Loxapine may produce following side effects:
- CNS ailments like Sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, mental confusion, increased appetite, weight gain, aggravation of seizures
- CVS effects including Postural (orthostatic)hypotension, palpitation, inhibition of ejaculation
- Anticholinergic effects such as Dry mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary hesitancy in elderly males
- Extrapyramidal disturbances (extrapyramidal symptoms EPS) such as Parkinsonism, Acute muscular dystonias, Akathisia, Malignant neuroleptic syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia
- Blue pigmentation of exposed skin,
- Corneal and lenticular opacities, retinal degeneration,
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Skin rashes, urticaria, contact dermatitis, photosensitivity
Contraindications :
- It should be used cautiously in patients with seizure disorders (since it may lower the seizure threshold)or those with an increased risk for seizures, such as withdrawal from alcohol.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
