Loxitane C Side Effects

Generic name: loxapine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 7, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Loxitane C Side Effects associated with loxapine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Loxitane C.

Applies to loxapine: inhalation powder.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule

Common side effects of Loxitane C

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 side effects

• change in taste
• drowsiness
• loss of taste
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Serious side effects of Loxitane C

Along with its needed effects, loxapine (the active ingredient contained in Loxitane C) 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 side effects

• blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• seizures
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• 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

For healthcare professionals

Applies to loxapine: inhalation powder, intramuscular solution, oral capsule, oral concentrate.

General adverse events

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]

Frequently asked questions

• What drugs cause tardive dyskinesia?

Further information

Loxitane C side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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