Loxitane-COral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Loxitane-C images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Loxitane-C

Uses
Loxapine is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., acute or chronic schizophrenia) This medicine helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can reduce aggression and the desire to hurt yourself/others. It may also help to decrease hallucinations (e.g., hearing/seeing things that are not there). Loxapine is a psychiatric medication (antipsychotic-type) that works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances (e.g., dopamine) in the brain.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye examinations) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, inability to wake up (coma).

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 to 4 times daily with or without food or exactly as directed by your doctor.Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Your doctor may direct you to take a low dose at first, then slowly increase the dose to lower the chance of side effects such as shaking (tremors).
Follow your doctor's directions carefully.
The usual maximum recommended dose for adults is 250 milligrams a day.When you begin treatment, frequent visits to your doctor may be needed to find the best dose for you.
Keep all medical/lab appointments.Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.Although you may notice some medication effects soon after starting, it may take weeks or months of regular use to see the full benefit.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, or slightly faster heartbeat may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Some people using this medication do not have serious side effects.This drug may cause muscle/nervous system problems (extrapyramidal symptoms-EPS).
Your doctor may prescribe another medication to decrease these side effects.
Therefore, tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following: increased anxiety, drooling/trouble swallowing, restlessness/constant need to move, shaking (tremor), shuffling walk, stiff muscles.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, difficulty urinating.This medication may cause a condition known as tardive dyskinesia.
In some cases, this condition may be permanent.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any involuntary/repetitive muscle movements such as lip smacking/puckering, tongue thrusting, chewing, or finger/toe movements.In rare cases, loxapine may increase your level of a certain chemical made by the body (prolactin).
For females, this increase in prolactin may result in unwanted breast milk, missed/stopped periods, or difficulty becoming pregnant.
For males, it may result in decreased sexual ability, inability to produce sperm, or enlarged breasts.
If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, persistent nausea, signs of infection (e.g., sore throat), stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, slow/irregular/fast heartbeat, severe muscle spasm/camping (e.g., twisting neck, arching back, eyes rolling up), seizures, easy bruising/bleeding.This drug may rarely cause a serious (sometimes fatal) nervous system problem (neuroleptic malignant syndrome-NMS).
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: fever, rigid muscles, increased sweating, mental/mood changes, change in the amount of urine.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking loxapine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: decreased bone marrow function, serious head injury, severe liver problems, severe nervous system problem (e.g., loss of consciousness, drug/alcohol overdose, shock), Parkinsons disease.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of alcohol/substance abuse, low blood pressure, breast cancer, glaucoma, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, heart valve problems, a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), restless legs syndrome, seizure disorder, a certain severe reaction to other antipsychotic-type medications (neuroleptic malignant syndrome-NMS), difficulty urinating (e.g., due to prostate problems).This drug may make you drowsy or dizzy or cause blurred vision.
Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness or clear vision.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.To reduce your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.This medication may rarely make you more sensitive to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.
Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Caution is advised during hot weather because loxapine can reduce sweating, increasing your risk for heatstroke.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.
If you become overheated, promptly seek cooler shelter and/or stop exercising.
Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature is above normal or if you have mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and tardive dyskinesia (TD) (see Side Effects).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Based on information from related drugs, this medication loxapine may pass into breast milk.
Therefore, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain anticholinergic medications (e.g., dicyclomine, scopolamine), antidepressant drugs (e.g., amitriptyline, amoxapine, duloxetine), gatifloxacin, guanethidine, certain drugs used for Parkinson's disease (e.g., bromocriptine, levodopa, pergolide), sibutramine.Also report the use of drugs that might increase your risk of a seizure when combined with loxapine, such as bupropion, isoniazid (INH), other antipsychotic medications (e.g., haloperidol, quetiapine), lithium, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine), and alcohol, among others.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, valproic acid), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), other psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, olanzapine, trazodone).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.
Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.