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A brief summary of loxapine inhalation for rapid tranquillisation: what is its place in practice?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2013

Caroline Parker
Caroline Parker*
Affiliation:
Consultant Pharmacist, Adult Mental Health, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
*
Correspondence to: Dr Caroline Parker, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust, Pharmacy, St Charles Mental Health Unit, Exmoor St, London, W10 6DZ. E-mail: caroline.parker@nhs.net
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Abstract

Loxapine has recently been licensed in the UK for the management of mild-to-moderate agitation in adults with schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder.

Loxapine is a first generation antipsychotic, and although not previously available in the UK, it has been used orally and as an intramuscular injection in some countries for many years. It is now formulated in a single use inhalator.

This is the first newly licensed medicine in the UK for the management of agitation for over five years.

This brief article provides an overview of this new medicine in order to help readers consider its place in regular clinical practice prior to its UK launch.

Keywords

Rapid tranquillisationloxapinebuccalintramuscular
Type
Product Review
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , August 2014 , pp. 110 - 114
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2013 

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