Interactions summary

Sedative, antihistamines, alcohol - Additive CNS depression with sedatives, Parkinson Agents,Tricyclic antidepressants- Anticholinergic effects potentiated MAOIs - Orthostatic hypotension with MAOIs. Guanidine, Methyldopa, Clonidine - Antagonises antihypertensive effects of guanithidine, 

Sedative, antihistamines, alcohol -                                                                             Additive CNS depression with sedatives,hynotics, antihistamines,opiates and alcohol.

Parkinson Agents,Tricyclic antidepressants-                                                      Anticholinergic effects potentiated by antiparkinson agents and tricyclic antidepressants.

MAOIs -                                                                                                                        Orthostatic hypotension with MAOIs.

Guanidine, Methyldopa, Clonidine -                                                                    Antagonises antihypertensive effects of guanithidine, methyldopa and clonidine.

Agranulocytosis(rare),neuroleptic malignant syndrome. CNS effects. Mild drowsiness, dizziness, Musle twitching, insomnia, EPS, tardive dyskinesia.

CVS,tachycardia,hypotension, hypertension, Nausea,vomiting,seborrhoea, dysponea, Headache,parathesia, flush and polydipsia.

Pre-existing depression,bone marrow supression, phenochromocytoma.

Special precautions:

Impaired renal/CVS function,parkinsonism,closed angle glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, myasthenia gravis. BHP,epileptics.

Date of Approval      1990

Indications:

Psychoses.

Dosage:

Individualise dose.

Oral - initial - 10mg twice daily in divided doses 2 or 4 times a day.

Usual range is 60 to 100mg/day.

Dosage more than 250mg/day not recommended.

LOXAPINE- 

1. Do not stop taking the medicine without first checking with your doctor.

2. Do not take this medicine within 2 hours of taking antacids or medicine for diarrhoea.

3.Do not take alcohol or other CNS depressants.

4.The medicine may cause drowsiness. Do not do anything that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

5.Before having any kind of surgery,dental treatment or emergency treatment,tell the medical doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. Taking Loxapine with medicines that are used during surgery may increase CNS depressant effects.

6.Allergies- Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to loxapine Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, presevatives or dyes.

7.Pregnancy - Loxapine has not shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.However, animal studies have shown unwanted effects in the fetus 6.Breast feeding- Not know whether loxapine passes into breast mllk.

8. Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only adult patients and there is no specfic information comparing use of loxapine in chldren with uses in other age groups 8.

9.Elderly- Elderly patients are more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of loxapine Constipation, dizziness, or fainting drowsiness, dryness of mouth, and trembling of the hands and fingers andsymptoms oftardive dyskinesia (suchas rapid, worm-like movements of the tonuge or any uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, or jaw and /or arms, and legs ) are especially likely to occur

10.. Other medicines - Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following- Amoxipine or Methyldopa or Metoclopramide or Metyrosine or Pemoline or Pimozide or Promethazine or Rauwolfia alkaloids or Trimeprazine - taking these medicines with loxapine may increase the chance of serious side effects CNS depresants - that causes drowsiness or Tricyclic antidepressants - taking these medicineswith loxapie may increase the CNS effects Guanadrel or Guanethidine - loxapine may decrease the effects of these medicines

11. Other medical problems - Tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems especially - Alcohol abuse - CNS depressant efects may be increased Difficult uurination or Enlarged prostrate or Glaucoma or Parkinsons disease Heart or blood pressure disease - anincreased risk of low blod pressre or change inthe rhythm of your heart may occur Liver disease - higher blood levels of loxapine ay occur, increasing the chance of side effects. Seizure disorders- loxapine may increase the risk of seizures

12. Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. however, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double doses.

13. Storage - Keep out of reach of children. Store away from heat or direct sunlight. Do not store the capsule in bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places.

14. Outdated medicines - Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of reach of children.

Pharmacology:

Loxapine is chemically distinct from thioxanthenes, butyrophenones, and phenothiazines. no advantage over other antipsychotics are established.

Pharmacokinetics:

Loxapine is metabolised extensively and is excreted within the first 24 hours. Metabolites are excreted in the urine as conjugates and in the feces unconjugated.

Reports not available

Pregnancy:

Loxapine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in human,although animal studies have reported unwanted effects on fetus.

Lactation:

It is not known if Loxapine passes into the breast milk.