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Compare Loxapine vs. Clozaril

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

Key takeaways

Loxapine (generic, formerly sold as Loxitane) and clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz) are both used to treat schizophrenia, but they have some key differences. Loxapine is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic, while clozapine is a second-generation (atypical) antipsychotic. Loxapine is available only as a generic oral capsule, whereas clozapine is available as generic and both a regular tablet and a dissolvable tablet. Clozapine is not a first-choice medication due to its many side effects, including a dangerous drop in white blood cell count, which requires regular blood tests under a special monitoring program. Loxapine, on the other hand, can cause more movement-related side effects and is more likely to cause drowsiness and dizziness. Both medications can cause serious side effects like neuroleptic malignant syndrome and seizures, but clozapine also carries risks of heart problems and severe constipation. Additionally, clozapine can lead to weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, while loxapine's effects on weight are less clear.

  • Loxapine
    Clozapine (Clozaril)
  • Loxapine
    Clozapine (Clozaril)

  • Summary of Loxapine vs. Clozaril

    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

    Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to treat schizophrenia. It's an atypical antipsychotic, but it's not a first-choice medication for schizophrenia because it can cause many bothersome side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. It can also cause your white blood cell (WBC) count to drop dangerously low and raise your risk for serious infections. As a result, clozapine (Clozaril) is prescribed under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). In order to pick up your medication at the pharmacy, your provider will ask you to get blood work regularly (weekly to monthly) to make sure your WBC count is at a healthy level.

  • Indications of Loxapine vs. Clozaril

    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia
    Indications for
    •Schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments
    •Suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

  • Pros and Cons of Loxapine vs. Clozaril

    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
    •Works well to treat schizophrenia when other medications haven't worked well
    •Taken by mouth
    •Comes as both a regular tablet (that you swallow by mouth) and as a dissolvable tablet that you place on the tongue
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Need to get blood work done every time you get a prescription filled (weekly to monthly)
    •Can cause dizziness and drowsiness
    •Can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
    •Not a good option for people with a history of seizures

  • Common Side Effects of Loxapine vs. Clozaril

    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
    •Increased salivation (Up to 48%)
    •Drowsiness (up to 46%)
    •Dizziness (up to 27%)
    •Fast heart rate (up to 25%)
    •Constipation (up to 25%)
    •Trouble sleeping (up to 20%)
    •Nausea/vomiting (17%)
    •High or low blood pressure (up to 13%)
    •Fever (up to 13%)
    •Headache (10%)
    •Heartburn (up to 14%)

  • Warnings of Loxapine vs. Clozaril

    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
    •Risk of serious infection (from low white blood cells)
    •Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
    •Seizures
    •Heart problems
    •Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
    •High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
    •Severe constipation
    •Serious allergic reactions or inflammation problems
    •Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
    •Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
    •Driving impairment
    •Liver problems
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Not for people with phenylketonuria (dissolvable tablets only)

  • Prices with our coupons for Loxapine vs. Clozaril

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