Loxitane

Loxapine is a typical antipsychotic medicine. It is used in a psychotic condition called schizophrenia.

It is available in tablet, capsule, solution forms and only with your doctor’s prescription.

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Loxitane.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: There are no adequate studies done which prove Loxapine harmful effects in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it may cause movement disorder (tardive dyskinesia) in an elderly female.

Pregnancy: It is a category C drug. It is not safe in pregnancy. It may cause harmful effects to an unborn baby.

Breast Feeding: There are no adequate studies which prove that Loxapine passes into breast milk. If you are using Loxapine while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions: Loxapine may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below:

• Barbiturates (Phenobarbital)
• Narcotics (Codeine)
• Sodium Oxybate (GHB)
• Anticholinergics (Trihexyphenidyl)
• Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam)
• Metoclopramide
• Bupropion
• Lithium

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• If you have a history of other mental problems.
• Heart problems
• Glaucoma
• Difficulty urinating or risk factors for difficult urination.
• Parkinson disease
• Breast cancer
• Liver problems
• Brain growths or cancer
• A stomach blockage
• Seizures

To use Loxitane properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Use it exactly as directed by your doctor. It can be taken with or without a meal. It will help you to remember taking your medicine if you take it at the same time of day.

Dosage: It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose.it is best to take each dose at equally spaced times a day and night. You must follow your doctor’s command.

Oral dosage capsule form: Adults: Dose is 20 to 50 milligram (mg). It can be taken as a single dose or it can be divided into two doses. It should not be more than 250mg per day.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost a time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.

Storage: Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children

Before using Loxitane, there are some precautions you must take.

Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose of this drug before stopping it completely. It is dangerous to suddenly stop taking the drug.

Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Loxapine. Loxapine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants.

Loxapine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Loxapine with caution.

Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

A condition called tardive dyskinesia may develop with the use of Loxapine. It is an involuntary and uncontrollable movement.

Inform your doctor if you notice following symptoms such as Involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements), sometimes accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs.

It is also known to cause the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It symptoms are convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness.

Inform your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. Loxapine is known to cause dry mouth in some patients.

Use a saliva substitute or sugarless candy or gums. If the mouth is dry for more than 2 weeks inform your doctor or dentist as dry mouth can lead to dental diseases and fungal infection of the mouth.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Loxitane to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

Most common are:

• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Lip smacking or puckering
• Loss of balance control
• Mask-like face
• Puffing of the cheeks
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stuffy nose
• Trouble sleeping
• Vomiting
• Weight gain or loss

Less common are:

• Constipation (severe)
• Difficult urination
• Inability to move the eyes
• Muscle spasms, especially of the neck and back
• Skin rash
• Twisting movements of the body

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.