Health Library

Loxapine (By mouth)

Loxapine (LOX-a-peen)

Treats schizophrenia and symptoms of mental disorders.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Mix the medicine with orange juice or grapefruit juice before drinking.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Some medicines can affect how loxapine works. Tell your doctor if you are using lorazepam.
• 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 liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, blood or bone marrow problems, glaucoma, trouble urinating, bowel blockage, brain tumor, or a history of seizures or breast cancer.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle disorder that could become permanent)
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening)
  • Changes in vision, eye problems
  • Increased levels of prolactin hormone
• This medicine should not be used to treat dementia in elderly adults because of an increased risk for stroke and other side effects.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures, or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. You may also feel lightheaded when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
• This medicine lowers the number of white blood cells. This weakens your immune system, so you may get infections more easily. Wash your hands often. Avoid people who are sick.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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

• Anxiety, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping
• Blurred vision
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Sweating, confusion, muscle stiffness
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control, problems with balance or walking
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, weakness
• Unusual tiredness or sleepiness

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

• Constipation, dry mouth
• Headache

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: 9/6/2024