Loxapine (Loxapine)
Overview of Loxapine
Loxapine, a dibenzoxazepine compound, represents a subclass of tricyclic antipsychotic agents, chemically distinct from the thioxanthenes, butyrophenones, and phenothiazines. Pharmacologically, Loxapine is a tranquilizer for which the exact mode of action has not been established.
Indication of Loxapine
Loxapine is primarily indicated in conditions like Psychotic illness, Schizophrenia.
Contraindication of Loxapine
Loxapine is contraindicated in conditions like Depression,Comatose states,Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Side Effects of Loxapine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Loxapine, which give rise to further complications include Tardive dyskinesia, Akathisia.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Loxapine include Hypotension, Renal failure, CNS depression, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Loxapine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Drowsiness, Dyspnea, Insomnia, Facial flushing, Weight gain, Tremor, Nausea and vomiting, Light headedness, Weight loss, Faintness, Agitation, Ptosis, Tension, Polydipsia, dizziness, faintness, Seborrhoea, Pevasthesias.
Precautions of Loxapine
Loxapine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of convulsive disorders, since it lowers the convulsive threshold. Seizures have been reported in epileptic patients receiving loxapine at antipsychotic dose levels and may occur even with maintenance of routine anticonvulsant drug therapy. Use loxapine with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease. Increased pulse rate and transient hypotension have both been reported in patients receiving antipsychotic doses. In the presence of severe hypotension requiring vasopressor therapy, the preferred drugs would be levarterenol or phenylephrine. Avoid the use of epinephrine in these cases. Although clinical experience has not demonstrated ocular toxicity, careful observation should be made for pigmentary retinopathy and lenticular pigmentation, since these have been observed in some patients receiving certain other antipsychotic drugs for prolonged periods.