LOXAPINE

Brand & Generic Names

Loxapac
Loxitane
Loxitane C
Loxitane IM

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Tranquilizer, antidepressant

Uses

• Treats serious mental illness.
• Treats anxiety and depression.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Oral solution--Take after meals with liquid to decrease stomach irritation.
Tablets--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
Capsules--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day, according to instructions on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Probably blocks the effects of dopamine in the brain.

Time lapse before drug works:
1/2 to 3 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Dizziness, drowsiness, severe shortness of breath, muscle spasms, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Severe shortness of Seek emergency breath, skin rash, treatment immediately. heartbeat irregularities, profuse sweating, fever, convulsions (rare).

Common:

• Increased dental problems because of dry mouth and less salivation.
• Swallowing difficulty, face expressionless, arms and legs stiff, dizziness.

Infrequent:

• Chewing movements with lip smacking, loss of balance, shuffling walk, tremor of fingers and hands, uncontrolled tongue movements.
• Constipation, difficult urination, blurred vision, confusion, loss of sex drive, headache, insomnia, menstrual irregularities, weight gain, light sensitivity, nausea.

Rare:

Rapid heartbeat, fever, sore throat, jaundice, unusual bleeding.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are an alcoholic.
• You have liver disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have a seizure disorder.
• If you have an enlarged prostate, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, heart disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, eyes.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:

• Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
• These symptoms may occur after medicine has been discontinued: dizziness; nausea; abdominal pain; uncontrolled movements of mouth, tongue and jaw.

Others:
Use careful oral hygiene.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticonvulsants*	Decreased effect of
	anticonvulsants.
Antidepressants,	May increase toxic
tricyclic (TCA)*	effects of both drugs.
Bupropion	Increased risk of major seizures.
Central nervous system	Increased sedative effect of both
(CNS) depressants*	drugs.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Epinephrine	Rapid heart rate and severe drop in
	blood pressure.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanadrel	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Guanethidine	Decreased effect of guanethidine.
Guanfacine	Increased effect of both drugs.
Haloperidol	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Methyldopa	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Metoclopramide	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Metyrosine	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Molindone	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Pergolide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Phenothiazines*	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Pimozide	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Rauwolfia	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.
Thioxanthenes*	May increase toxic effects of both
	drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	May decrease effect of loxapine.
	Avoid.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	May increase toxicity of both
	drugs. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	May increase toxicity of both
	drugs. Avoid.
Tobacco:	May increase toxicity of both
	drugs. Avoid.