An antipsychotic agent used in SCHIZOPHRENIA.
The N-demethylated derivative of the antipsychotic agent LOXAPINE that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, or both. It also blocks dopamine receptors.
A feeling of restlessness associated with increased motor activity. This may occur as a manifestation of nervous system drug toxicity or other conditions.
Agents that control agitated psychotic behavior, alleviate acute psychotic states, reduce psychotic symptoms, and exert a quieting effect. They are used in SCHIZOPHRENIA; senile dementia; transient psychosis following surgery; or MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; etc. These drugs are often referred to as neuroleptics alluding to the tendency to produce neurological side effects, but not all antipsychotics are likely to produce such effects. Many of these drugs may also be effective against nausea, emesis, and pruritus.
Diseases of the BASAL GANGLIA including the PUTAMEN; GLOBUS PALLIDUS; claustrum; AMYGDALA; and CAUDATE NUCLEUS. DYSKINESIAS (most notably involuntary movements and alterations of the rate of movement) represent the primary clinical manifestations of these disorders. Common etiologies include CEREBROVASCULAR DISORDERS; NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES; and CRANIOCEREBRAL TRAUMA.
Cell-surface proteins that bind SEROTONIN and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior of cells. Several types of serotonin receptors have been recognized which differ in their pharmacology, molecular biology, and mode of action.

Loxapine intoxication: case report and literature review. (1/11)

Loxapine is a dibenzoxazepine tricyclic compound used to treat schizophrenia in the United States since 1976. Metabolism includes demethylation to its primary metabolite, amoxapine. There are few documented reports of the disposition of loxapine in deaths due to overdose. This report discusses the overdose suicide of a 69-year-old white female found dead in her home by her husband. A prescription for loxapine (50-mg capsules) was found near the body. An autopsy was performed and heart blood, bile, vitreous humor, and gastric contents were submitted for toxicological analysis. The blood specimen was subjected to comprehensive testing that included volatile analysis by headspace gas chromatography (GC); acidic/neutral and basic drug screening by GC; benzodiazepine screening by high-performance liquid chromatography; opiate screening by modified immunoassay; and acetaminophen, salicylate, and ethchlorvynol screening by colorimetry. Loxapine and amoxapine were detected in the basic drug screen. No other drugs were detected in the case specimens. The respective concentrations of loxapine and amoxapine in each specimen were as follows: heart blood, 9.5 and 0.6 mg/L; bile, 28.8 and 4.7 mg/L; gastric, 278 mg/L and negative; and vitreous, 1.5 mg/L and negative. A review of the literature showed that the heart blood concentration of loxapine measured in this case was the highest reported to date. Based on the autopsy findings, patient history, and toxicology results, the cause of death was determined to be acute intoxication of loxapine and the manner, suicide.  (+info)

Effect of loxapine on peripheral dopamine-like and serotonin receptors in patients with schizophrenia. (2/11)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of loxapine on peripheral dopamine D2-like and serotonin receptor binding and on psychotic symptoms. PATIENTS: Patients (n = 24) meeting the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, for schizophrenia were selected from an outpatient clinic (age range 18-70 yr). METHODS: Patients were given loxapine (dose determined by a physician) for a period of 12 weeks. There were clinic visits at before treatment began and at 6 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment. Scores on a variety of efficacy and safety scales were recorded at each visit, and blood was drawn for receptor assays. RESULTS: Patients showed significant improvement on most psychiatric assessment scales after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment with loxapine, and both lymphocyte D2-like and 5-HTL2A platelet receptor binding were down-regulated after 6 and 12 weeks. The degree of receptor down-regulation was not significantly correlated with improvements in psychotic symptoms, however. CONCLUSION: Loxapine down-regulated both lymphocyte D2-like and platelet 5-HT2A receptors to the same extent, suggesting that both receptors are involved in the mechanism of action of loxapine in patients with schizophrenia.  (+info)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: case report and discussion. (3/11)

We report a case involving an 81-tear-old man with schizoaffective disorder who presented with neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) after an increase in his neuroleptic dose. NMS, a rare but potentially fatal complication of neuroleptic medications (e.g., antipsychotics, sedatives and antinauseants), is characterized by hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, an elevated creatine kinase level and autonomic instability. The syndrome often develops after a sudden increase in dosage of the neuroleptic medication or in states of dehydration. Treatment is mainly supportive and includes withdrawal of the neuroleptic medication and, possibly, administration of drugs such as dantrolene and bromocriptine. Complications of NMS include acute renal failure and acute respiratory failure. Given the widespread prescription of neuroleptics by physicians in a variety of fields, all physicians need to be able to recognize and appropriately manage NMS.  (+info)

Lack of enhanced effect of antipsychotics combined with fluvoxamine on acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex. (4/11)

We have shown that coadministration of sulpiride and fluvoxamine preferentially increases the release of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex. To study the possible role of the cortical cholinergic system in this effect, we combined several other antipsychotic drugs with fluvoxamine and examined the effects on acetylcholine release in rat prefrontal cortex. Risperidone and clozapine significantly increased the release of acetylcholine but sulpiride did not, and fluvoxamine did not enhance the effects of the antipsychotics. These results further support the previous suggestion that the cortical dopamine system plays an important role in the effects of antipsychotic drugs administered in combination with fluvoxamine.  (+info)

Beneficial effects of loxapine on agitation and breathing patterns during weaning from mechanical ventilation. (5/11)

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Rapid acute treatment of agitation in individuals with schizophrenia: multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled study of inhaled loxapine. (6/11)

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Modelling schizophrenia using human induced pluripotent stem cells. (7/11)

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The antipsychotic drug loxapine is an opener of the sodium-activated potassium channel slack (Slo2.2). (8/11)

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Loxapine is an antipsychotic medication that is primarily used to treat schizophrenia. It belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antipsychotics, which work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Loxapine can help reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking. In addition to its use in treating schizophrenia, loxapine may also be used off-label for the treatment of agitation and aggression in individuals with dementia or other mental health disorders.

It is important to note that loxapine can have serious side effects, including neurological symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and uncontrolled muscle movements, as well as cardiovascular symptoms such as low blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms. Therefore, it should only be prescribed by a healthcare professional who is experienced in managing the use of antipsychotic medications.

Amoxapine is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) medication that is primarily used to treat depression. It works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, in the brain. These neurotransmitters are known to play a role in mood regulation, and imbalances in their levels have been linked to depression.

Amoxapine is available in tablet form and is typically taken two or three times a day. It may take several weeks of treatment before the full benefits of amoxapine are felt. Common side effects of amoxapine include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and dizziness.

Like other TCAs, amoxapine carries a risk of serious side effects, including an increased risk of suicide in some patients. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of heart disease or seizures, as it can lower the seizure threshold and increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

It's important to note that amoxapine is not recommended for use in children or adolescents, and it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks. It's also important to follow the dosage instructions carefully and to inform your healthcare provider of any other medications you are taking, as well as any medical conditions you may have, before starting treatment with amoxapine.

Psychomotor agitation is a state of increased physical activity and purposeless or semi-purposeful voluntary movements, usually associated with restlessness, irritability, and cognitive impairment. It can be a manifestation of various medical and neurological conditions such as delirium, dementia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance withdrawal. Psychomotor agitation may also increase the risk of aggressive behavior and physical harm to oneself or others. Appropriate evaluation and management are necessary to address the underlying cause and alleviate symptoms.

Antipsychotic agents are a class of medications used to manage and treat psychosis, which includes symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, disordered thought processes, and agitated behavior. These drugs work by blocking the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is believed to play a role in the development of psychotic symptoms. Antipsychotics can be broadly divided into two categories: first-generation antipsychotics (also known as typical antipsychotics) and second-generation antipsychotics (also known as atypical antipsychotics).

First-generation antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and fluphenazine, were developed in the 1950s and have been widely used for several decades. They are generally effective in reducing positive symptoms of psychosis (such as hallucinations and delusions) but can cause significant side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as rigidity, tremors, and involuntary movements, as well as weight gain, sedation, and orthostatic hypotension.

Second-generation antipsychotics, such as clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, and aripiprazole, were developed more recently and are considered to have a more favorable side effect profile than first-generation antipsychotics. They are generally effective in reducing both positive and negative symptoms of psychosis (such as apathy, anhedonia, and social withdrawal) and cause fewer EPS. However, they can still cause significant weight gain, metabolic disturbances, and sedation.

Antipsychotic agents are used to treat various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, delusional disorder, and other conditions that involve psychosis or agitation. They can be administered orally, intramuscularly, or via long-acting injectable formulations. The choice of antipsychotic agent depends on the individual patient's needs, preferences, and response to treatment, as well as the potential for side effects. Regular monitoring of patients taking antipsychotics is essential to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Basal ganglia diseases are a group of neurological disorders that affect the function of the basal ganglia, which are clusters of nerve cells located deep within the brain. The basal ganglia play a crucial role in controlling movement and coordination. When they are damaged or degenerate, it can result in various motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and difficulty with balance and walking.

Some examples of basal ganglia diseases include:

1. Parkinson's disease - a progressive disorder that affects movement due to the death of dopamine-producing cells in the basal ganglia.
2. Huntington's disease - an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that causes uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and cognitive decline.
3. Dystonia - a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures.
4. Wilson's disease - a rare genetic disorder that causes excessive copper accumulation in the liver and brain, leading to neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
5. Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) - a rare brain disorder that affects movement, gait, and balance, as well as speech and swallowing.
6. Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) - a rare neurological disorder characterized by progressive loss of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, leading to stiffness, rigidity, and difficulty with movement and coordination.

Treatment for basal ganglia diseases varies depending on the specific diagnosis and symptoms but may include medication, surgery, physical therapy, or a combination of these approaches.

Serotonin receptors are a type of cell surface receptor that bind to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). They are widely distributed throughout the body, including the central and peripheral nervous systems, where they play important roles in regulating various physiological processes such as mood, appetite, sleep, memory, learning, and cognition.

There are seven different classes of serotonin receptors (5-HT1 to 5-HT7), each with multiple subtypes, that exhibit distinct pharmacological properties and signaling mechanisms. These receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) or ligand-gated ion channels, which activate intracellular signaling pathways upon serotonin binding.

Serotonin receptors have been implicated in various neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and migraine. Therefore, selective serotonin receptor agonists or antagonists are used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of these conditions.

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