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Compare Loxapine vs. Abilify

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Loxapine (generic, formerly sold as Loxitane) and aripiprazole (Abilify) are both antipsychotic medications, but they belong to different classes. Loxapine is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic, while aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic. Loxapine is primarily used to treat schizophrenia and is available only in generic form. It can cause more movement-related side effects, such as shakiness and stiffness, compared to aripiprazole. Aripiprazole, on the other hand, is used to treat a wider range of conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, depression (as an add-on treatment), Tourette syndrome, and irritability associated with autism. It is available in various forms, including tablets, oral solutions, and orally disintegrating tablets. Aripiprazole is less likely to cause weight gain and movement problems than loxapine but can still lead to issues like high blood sugar and cholesterol. Both medications can cause drowsiness and have serious side effects like neuroleptic malignant syndrome and low white blood cell count. However, aripiprazole also carries risks of impulse control problems and suicidal thoughts.

Loxapine
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Loxapine
Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Summary of Loxapine vs. Abilify
Summary for First-generation (typical) antipsychotic
Prescription only
Loxapine is a typical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. Loxapine is taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. It can cause more movement-related side effects compared with atypical antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole (Abilify). It used to be sold under the brand name Loxitane, which is no longer available. Oral loxapine is now only available as generic capsules.
Summary for Atypical antipsychotic
Prescription only
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat different mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. It works by balancing certain chemicals in the brain to help control thoughts, mood, and behaviors. It's available in many dosage forms, including an oral tablet, solution, and an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that can be used in adults and children as young as 6 years old for certain conditions. Common side effects include headache, movement problems, and sleep problems.
Indications of Loxapine vs. Abilify
Indications for

•Schizophrenia

Indications for

•Schizophrenia

•Tourette syndrome in children

•Bipolar I disorder

•Depression (add-on treatment)

•Irritability associated with autistic disorder in children
Pros and Cons of Loxapine vs. Abilify
Pros and Const for First-generation (typical) antipsychotic
Pros

•A good option if other schizophrenia medications haven't worked or have caused bothersome side effects

•Dose can be adjusted by your provider based on your response

•Available as a lower-cost generic medication

Cons

•More likely to cause trouble controlling movements compared to other treatment options

•Can raise your heart rate and lower your blood pressure

•Risk of developing abnormal muscle movements that might not go away after you stop taking loxapine

Pros and Const for Atypical antipsychotic
Pros

•Only taken once a day

•Available in a liquid and dissolvable tablet for people who have trouble swallowing pills

•Less likely to cause weight gain than most other antipsychotics

•Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

•Can make you feel restless

•Risk of movement problems that can be permanent

•Can raise blood sugar and cholesterol

•Can take several weeks to see the full effects
Common Side Effects of Loxapine vs. Abilify
Common Side Effects for

•Drowsiness

•Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement problems, such as shakiness, stiffness, excess saliva, and loss of facial expression)

•Restless muscles (akathisia)

Common Side Effects for

•Headache (27%)

•Agitation (19%)

•Trouble sleeping (18%)

•Anxiety (17%)

•Nausea (15%)

•Vomiting (11%)

•Constipation (11%)

•Dizziness (10%)

•Trouble staying still (10%)

Note: Side effects were reported by adults who took aripiprazole in clinical studies for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Warnings of Loxapine vs. Abilify
Common Side Effects for

•Higher risk of death in older adults

•Uncontrollable body movements (tardive dyskinesia)

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•Falls

•Low white blood cell count

•Seizures

•Vision changes

•High prolactin levels

Common Side Effects for

•Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis

•Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

•High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain

•Difficulty controlling movements

•Changes in blood pressure and higher risk of falls

•Risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)

•Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness

•Seizures

•Impulse-control problems
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Compare Loxapine vs. Abilify

Key takeaways

Summary of Loxapine vs. Abilify

Indications of Loxapine vs. Abilify

Pros and Cons of Loxapine vs. Abilify

Common Side Effects of Loxapine vs. Abilify

Warnings of Loxapine vs. Abilify

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