Loxitane Side Effects
Generic name: loxapine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 1, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about loxapine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Loxitane.
Applies to loxapine: inhalation powder. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Loxitane
Along with its needed effects, loxapine (the active ingredient contained in Loxitane) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking loxapine:
Less common
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- seizures
- sweating
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Inability to sit still
- need to keep moving
- restlessness
Incidence not known
- Chest tightness
- cough
- decrease in the frequency of urination
- decrease in urine volume
- decreased vision
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- eye pain
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- high fever
- inability to move the eyes
- increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
- increased sweating
- loss of balance control
- loss of bladder control
- mask-like face
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- noisy breathing
- painful urination
- pounding in the ears
- severe muscle stiffness
- shuffling walk
- slowed movements
- slurred speech
- sticking out of tongue
- tearing of eyes
- tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
- tiredness
- trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
- trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing
- uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
- unusual facial expressions
- unusually pale skin
Other side effects of Loxitane
Some side effects of loxapine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Change in taste
- drowsiness
- loss of taste
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to loxapine: inhalation powder, intramuscular solution, oral capsule, oral concentrate.
General
The most common adverse reactions reported with use of the inhaler were dysgeusia, sedation and throat irritation. Drowsiness, extrapyramidal reactions and akathisia have been reported frequently, especially during the first few days of oral therapy.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dysgeusia (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, throat irritation
Frequency not reported: Constipation, excessive salivation, paralytic ileus, nausea, tongue protrusion, vomiting[Ref]
Dysgeusia and throat irritation occurred with inhaled formulations.[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Sedation/somnolence (up to 12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Akathisia/restlessness, dystonia, dyskinesia, neck dystonia, tremor
Frequency not reported: Akinesia, drowsiness, extrapyramidal symptoms, faintness, headache, involuntary muscle contractions, lightheadedness, masked facies, numbness, paresthesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, parkinsonian-like symptoms, seizures, shuffling gait, slurred speech, staggering gait, tardive dyskinesia[Ref]
Sedation occurred in up to 12% of patients who used inhaled formulations.
Drowsiness occurred in patients who used oral formulations.
Drowsiness has been frequently reported at the beginning of therapy or when the dosage is increased. It is generally mild and usually subsides with continued therapy. The incidence of sedation has been reported as less than certain aliphatic phenothiazines, and more than the piperazine phenothiazines.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, weakness
Frequency not reported: Hyperpyrexia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, ECG changes, flushed facies[Ref]
A few cases of ECG changes similar to those seen with phenothiazines have been reported. It is not known if these were related to loxapine administration.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Restlessness
Frequency not reported: Agitation, confusional state, insomnia, tension[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Oculogyration
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, dry eyes, ptosis[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm/shortness of breath
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, nasal congestion[Ref]
Bronchospasm occurred with inhaled formulations.
Use of the inhaler was shown to cause bronchospasm in clinical pulmonary safety trials as measured by FEV1 and respiratory signs and symptoms. Additionally, patients with asthma or other pulmonary diseases were shown to be at higher risk and the effect of FEV1 was greater following the second dose (administered 10 hours later).[Ref]
Endocrine
Rare (less than 0.1%): Galactorrhea, amenorrhea, gynecomastia, menstrual irregularity[Ref]
Hematologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis[Ref]
Hepatic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Jaundice and/or hepatitis
Frequency not reported: Hepatocellular injury[Ref]
Hepatocellular injury described as AST/ALT elevation has been reported in association with loxapine administration; rarely, jaundice and/or hepatitis has been reported as possibly related to treatment.[Ref]
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, facial edema, pruritus, rash, alopecia, seborrhea[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Weight gain, weight loss, polydipsia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Muscle twitching, rigidity[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Serious skin reactions[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Urinary retention[Ref]
More about Loxitane (loxapine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: miscellaneous antipsychotic agents
- Breastfeeding
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References
1. (2022) "Product Information. Loxitane C (loxapine)." Apothecon Inc
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. (2015) "Product Information. Adasuve (loxapine)." Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
4. (2015) "Product Information. Loxapine Succinate (loxapine)." Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.