Loxapine is an anti-psychotic drug that is usually prescribed to help deal with the manifestations of schizophrenia. Loxapine is given as a tablet to be taken orally. It is usually taken two to four times per day, depending on the patient’s situation. The usual range of doses is from 60 – 100 mg a day. The dosage may be increased quickly until the symptoms are managed. Loxapine can also be administered through intramuscular injection of 12-50 mg. The injection may be given with 4-6 hours in between, twice everyday.
As a powerful antipsychotic, Loxapine should be administered carefully. In the initial days of medication, Loxapine can decrease the patient’s mental and/or physical functions. This can make it difficult and dangerous for patients under treatment to perform active tasks such as operating machinery and driving. The patient must be duly warned of these possible effects so they can take the necessary precaution.
At the same time, the patient is also advised to stop taking anti-depressants and to minimize alcohol consumption while under treatment.
Also, Loxapine is yet to be tested for safety with pregnant or breastfeeding women. To avoid possible health risks for the child, discontinue the use of Loxapine. However, if the drug is extremely necessary, the patient and his doctor must seriously consider the benefits of the drug along with the possible effects to the child.
In addition Loxapine is not advised for patients below 16 years old.
Before taking Loxapine, there are more things that the patient and the doctor need to consider. Loxapine has the tendency to reduce a person’s threshold for convulsions. If the patient has a history of convulsive disorders or seizures, the use of Loxapine must be seriously evaluated. There have been epileptic patients who get seizures when under Loxapine. Hence, the patient and the doctor must be extremely careful.
Moreover, serious evaluation is needed for patients with history of cardiovascular disease. Antipsychotic drugs have been reportedly linked to a higher pulse rate in patients. Furthermore, patients under vasopressor therapy are advised to take other drugs instead of Loxapine.
Loxapine must also be taken with caution if the patient also has glaucoma. If there are cases of urinary retention, Loxapine must also be taken with great care. Anti-parkinson medication may also react negatively with Loxapine.
In the beginning of treatment, patients under Loxapine medication may experience some common side effects. These include mild drowsiness, dizziness, headache, insomina and confusion. The patient may also display a staggering or shuffling gait with some twitching in the muscles. The patient may also be observed to have slurred speech. In certain cases, seizures may occur.
The patient may also experience symptoms that are similar to that of Parkinson’s disease. This involves some tremors, excessive salivation or rigidity in the muscles. However, these symptoms are usually linked only to the start of the treatment. Once medication continues, these symptoms will subside. They can also be managed by giving the patient anti-Parkinson medication. There may also be cases of Akathisia or extreme restlessness of the muscles. The doctors may also notice spasms in the patient’s neck and face muscles.
The patient may also feel dryness in his mouth along with constipation, blurred vision and or urinary retention. There may also be some nausea and vomiting. While it is very rare, there were also cases of hepatitis and jaundice that are linked to Loxapine treatment.
Loxapine may also cause some skin problems. Dermatitis, seborrhea may be observed. Also, rashes may appear on the patient’s skin especially during the summer.
Loxapine has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of loxapine is C18H18ClN3O
• Molecular weight is 327.808 g/mol
• Loxapine available : 20mg tablets
Brand name(s): Cloxazepine, Dibenzacepin, Dibenzoazepine, Lossapina, Loxapac, Loxapin, Loxapina, Loxapinum, Loxepine, Loxitane, Loxitane C, Loxitane Im, Oxilapine
Review published on: 21 June 2008
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