Loxapine (By breathing)

LOX-a-peen

Treats acute agitation in adult patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Drug classes

Antipsychotic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Inhaled loxapine is used to treat acute agitation in adult patients with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder (type of depression). It works in the brain to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are chemicals that help regulate agitation, schizophrenia, and depression. Loxapine is an antipsychotic medicine.

This medicine is available only under a special restricted distribution program called the Adasuve™ REMS program.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Powder

A doctor or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. You will breathe it in through the mouth and into the lungs.

Your doctor will check you for breathing problems before you receive the medicine and for at least an hour afterwards.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood pressure medicine (such as amlodipine, atenolol, clonidine, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, metoprolol, Benicar®, Cozaar®, Diovan®).

Tell your doctor if you are also using any medicine that causes dry mouth or constipation, including medicine to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, Elavil®) or medicine to treat Parkinson disease (such as bromocriptine, levodopa, Parlodel®.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

When Not To Use

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to loxapine or amoxapine. Do not use this medicine if you have breathing problems, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or if you are taking medicine to treat breathing problems.

Warnings

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, trouble urinating, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or blood circulation problems, such as heart failure, heart rhythm problems, high or low blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.

This medicine may cause serious breathing problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have a cough, trouble breathing, tightness in your chest, or wheezing.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a high fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, or muscle stiffness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

This medicine should not be used to treat dementia in elderly adults because of an increased risk for stroke and other side effects.

You might feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint after you receive this medicine, especially when you get up suddenly. Stand or sit up slowly. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Seizures

Trouble breathing, chest pain, coughing

Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, problems with balance or walking

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Bad, bitter, or metallic taste

Dry mouth

Sleepiness or tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Adasuve

There may be other brand names for this medicine.