Drug Notes

Loxapine (By breathing)

Loxapine (LOX-a-peen)

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

Brand Name(s):

Adasuve

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

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.

• Do not use this medicine if you are also using medicines to treat asthma or COPD.
• Some medicines can affect how loxapine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Blood pressure medicine
  • Medicine to treat depression (including amitriptyline, nortriptyline)
  • Medicine to treat Parkinson disease (including bromocriptine, levodopa)
  • Phenothiazine medicine
• 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.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, trouble urinating, or a history of seizures or lung or breathing problems (including COPD or asthma). 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 the following problems:
  • Serious breathing problems
  • 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. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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, 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
• 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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017