Addressing the need for rapid treatment of agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: focus on inhaled loxapine as an alternative to injectable agents

Abstract

Agitation (excessive motor or verbal activity) can be associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania, and can further escalate into aggressive behavior and potentially lead to injuries in patients and staff. Medications used to treat agitation include antipsychotics and benzodiazepines, usually administered intramuscularly when rapid action is desired. Loxapine, a first-generation antipsychotic, has recently been reformulated into an inhaled powder that allows for direct administration to the lungs, resulting in rapid absorption into the systemic circulation. Administered via a single-use device, inhaled loxapine was tested in randomized controlled trials in agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania; doses of 5 mg and 10 mg were found to be efficacious, with an apparent dose response. In the Phase III studies, number needed to treat versus placebo for a ≥40% reduction from baseline on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – Excited Component (PANSS-EC) at 2 hours was three for patients with bipolar disorder, and five for 5 mg and four for 10 mg for patients with schizophrenia, with effect sizes comparable to what has been observed in analogous studies of intramuscular injection of antipsychotics or lorazepam. Separation from placebo on the PANSS-EC was as early as 10 minutes postinhalation, the first time point where this was measured. Dysgeusia was the most commonly encountered spontaneously reported adverse event. Adverse events related to extrapyramidal symptoms and akathisia were relatively rare. Spirometry studies identified the potential for bronchospasm particularly in persons with asthma. Because of concerns over pulmonary safety, inhaled loxapine is restricted to use in hospitals and patients need to be prescreened for the presence of pulmonary disease, as well as monitored for signs and symptoms of bronchospasm for 1 hour postdose administration, as per a Food and Drug Administration-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy.

Introduction

Agitation (excessive motor or verbal activity) associated with untreated schizophrenia or bipolar mania is not uncommon and can further escalate into aggressive behavior and potential for patient and staff injuries.1,2 Agitation associated with psychosis is a frequent reason for emergency department visits, admission to a psychiatric in-patient ward, and continued hospitalization. Despite treatment of the underlying psychiatric condition, intermittent agitated behavior can remain problematic.

Differential diagnosis of agitated behavior in a person with known schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can be complex as there can be multiple causes, any of which can be present at the same time and can also differ from episode to episode.3–7 There may be co-occurring substance use or intoxication, intrusive hallucinations or paranoid delusions, neuropsychiatric deficits that result in overall poor impulse control, a chaotic environment that lends itself to behavior dyscontrol, or frank psychopathy. An underlying somatic illness may be present resulting in a delirium or other alterations in a person’s mental state. Iatrogenic causes of agitation include akathisia, a distressing sensation of being unable to sit still, that can be induced by antipsychotics and antidepressants.8 Akathisia can be easily missed, and if mistaken for worsening psychosis may lead to increases in antipsychotic dosages, resulting in worsening akathisia.9

The clinical management of agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania includes behavioral and psychological techniques,10 as well as the use of nonspecific sedating agents such as benzodiazepines and/or antipsychotics that also at the same time would be expected to treat the underlying psychiatric condition.11 Goals of treatment of agitation include calming the patient as rapidly as possible, decreasing the likelihood of harm to self or others, allowing diagnostic tests or procedures to take place, attenuating psychosis, and decreasing the need for seclusion or restraint (a time of high risk for patients and staff injury).1 Sleep, in itself, is not desirable when evaluating the patient; excessive sedation results in the need for constant observation, assistance in toileting, and excessive burdens being placed on nursing staff resources.

This review focuses on the pharmacological management of agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar mania, with an emphasis on a new intervention, an inhaled formulation of loxapine, a first-generation antipsychotic.

Current pharmacological treatments for agitation

For a medication to be clinically useful for the treatment of agitation it must have a predictably high response rate for inducing calm and be relatively tolerable. A rapid onset of action usually requires a medication/formulation to have a short time to maximum concentration (ordinarily < 60 minutes), and this usually requires rapid entry to the systemic circulation. Adverse effects such as excessive sedation, hypotension, respiratory depression, acute dystonia, or akathisia will complicate patient management and potentially impact the willingness of patients to adhere to similar medications in the future.

At the present time, intramuscular lorazepam is often used as an antiagitation agent. In contrast to other benzodiazepines, lorazepam is reliably absorbed when injected into the muscle, has a short half-life, and has no active metabolites.11 However, respiratory depression and, rarely, paradoxical reactions can occur. Although the administration of lorazepam can potentially treat an underlying withdrawal from alcohol, prolonged continued use of lorazepam can lead to tolerance and ultimately has no or little effect on core symptoms of psychosis. First-generation antipsychotics have been used intramuscularly to treat agitation, including chlorpromazine12 and haloperidol.13,14 Unfortunately, intramuscular chlorpromazine has been associated with hypotension and anticholinergic effects, as well as a reduction in the seizure threshold. Haloperidol is commonly associated with extrapyramidal adverse effects and akathisia. Moreover, the use of anticholinergic medication to counteract tremor and rigidity can further impair the patient’s already compromised cognitive abilities.15

Intramuscular preparations of ziprasidone, olanzapine, and aripiprazole are available for the treatment of acute agitation and they are generally better tolerated than chlorpromazine or haloperidol.16 Extrapyramidal adverse effects and akathisia can thus be minimized. Continued treatment with the oral formulations of these agents can be accomplished and offer the potential for effective outcomes. Effect sizes for antiagitation response for intramuscular ziprasidone, olanzapine, and aripiprazole are comparable to the effect sizes demonstrated for haloperidol and lorazepam.16 In guidelines developed by the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry, antipsychotics are recommended over benzodiazepines for psychosis-driven agitation in a patient with a known psychiatric disorder (eg, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) because they address the underlying psychosis.17 In addition, second-generation antipsychotics with supportive data for their use in acute agitation are preferred over haloperidol either alone or with an adjunctive medication; if the patient cannot cooperate with oral medications, intramuscular ziprasidone or intramuscular olanzapine is preferred for acute control of agitation.17

The commonly used rapidly-acting pharmacologic options for acute agitation are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1.

Rapidly-acting pharmacologic options for acute agitation

Agent	Dose (mg)	Advantages	Disadvantages
Lorazepam	0.5–2.0	Reliably absorbed when injected into the muscle; short half-life; no active metabolites; can potentially treat alcohol withdrawal; relatively inexpensive	No antipsychotic effect; potential for respiratory depression; risk for behavioral disinhibition (paradoxical reaction); development of tolerance
Haloperidol	0.5–7.5	Antipsychotic effect over time; relatively inexpensive	Akathisia; dystonia; will not treat underlying alcohol withdrawal
Ziprasidone	10–20	Antipsychotic effect over time; favorable extrapyramidal symptom profile compared to first-generation antipsychotics	Explicit warning in product labeling regarding prolongation of the QTc interval; will not treat underlying alcohol withdrawal; relatively more costly but availability of generic product will impact on price
Olanzapine	10 (5 or 7.5 when clinically warranted)	Antipsychotic effect over time; favorable extrapyramidal symptom profile compared to first-generation antipsychotics	Concomitant administration of intramuscular olanzapine and parenteral benzodiazepine is not recommended due to the potential for excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression; weight gain over time; will not treat underlying alcohol withdrawal; relatively more costly but availability of generic product will impact on price
Aripiprazole	9.75	Antipsychotic effect over time; favorable extrapyramidal symptom profile compared to first-generation antipsychotics	No dosage adjustment of aripiprazole is required when administered concomitantly with lorazepam but the intensity of sedation was greater with the combination as compared to that observed with aripiprazole alone and the orthostatic hypotension observed was greater with the combination as compared to that observed with lorazepam alone; will not treat underlying alcohol withdrawal; relatively more costly and remains under patent exclusivity at present

Emerging therapies: inhaled loxapine

Loxapine is a first-generation antipsychotic that has been reformulated into an inhaled powder that allows for direct administration to the lungs, resulting in rapid absorption into the systemic circulation. Inhaled loxapine at a 10 mg dose was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) December 21, 2012 for the acute treatment of agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder in adults.18,19 This was followed by approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on February 20, 2013 for the dose strengths of 5 mg and 10 mg.20,21 EMA labeling notes that the single dose inhaler of loxapine 5 mg delivers 4.5 mg loxapine, and that the 10 mg inhaler delivers 9.1 mg.21 The indication in EMA labeling is for rapid control of mild to moderate agitation in adult patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Although the FDA has approved inhaled loxapine 10 mg for only a single dose within any 24-hour period, the EMA allows for two doses of either 5 or 10 mg, separated by 2 hours. Similar risk mitigation procedures regarding the potential for bronchospasm are required by both the FDA and EMA, including the restriction that inhaled loxapine is to be used only in health care facilities.

The efficacy and safety of inhaled loxapine for agitation is supported by a Phase II trial in patients with schizophrenia,22 a Phase III trial in patients with schizophrenia,23 and in a Phase III trial in patients with bipolar mania.24 Detailed information on the clinical development of inhaled loxapine has been made available by the manufacturer25 and regulatory authorities.26,27 Prior systematic reviews can be found elsewhere.28,29

Pharmacology, mode of action, and pharmacokinetics of inhaled loxapine

Inhaled loxapine is administered by having the patient take a breath using a handheld single-use device. No hand/breath coordination is required. Upon inhalation a sensor is activated and initiates the production of a thermally-generated condensation aerosol that contains 1–3.5 μ particles of loxapine which enter the respiratory track in <1 second.30,31 No forceful inhalation is required. Purity of the emitted medication is greater than 99.5% and the emitted dose is approximately 90% of the drug contained in the device.30,31 There are no excipients. A relatively small amount (11%) is deposited into the oropharyngeal region.32

Similar to all available antipsychotics, loxapine is an antagonist at the dopamine D2 receptor. Loxapine also has clinically relevant serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonism.33 As per the product label, affinities for serotonin 5-HT2A and dopamine D1, D2, D3, and D4 receptors have Ki values of 2 nM, 18 nM, 10 nM, 21 nM, and 9 nM, respectively.19 Some of the adverse effects of loxapine may be related to the antagonism of histamine H1 (somnolence), muscarinic M1 (anticholinergic), and adrenergic α2 (orthostatic hypotension) receptors (Ki values of 15 nM, 117 nM, and 250 nM, respectively).19 The 7-OH loxapine metabolite of loxapine has a five-fold higher affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor compared with loxapine, and thus it may contribute to the clinical effect of the drug.34

Detailed pharmacokinetic information is available in a published study of single-dose inhaled loxapine (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, or 10 mg) administered to 50 healthy volunteers.34 Product labeling summarizes the key variables for the 10 mg dose: mean (standard deviation) area under the curve (AUC; 0–2 hours) was 66.7 (18.2) ng-h/mL, AUC (0–∞) 188 (47) ng-h/mL, maximum concentration 257 (219) ng/mL, half-life 7.61 (1.87) hours, and median time to maximum concentration 1.13 (25%, 1; 75%, 2) minutes.19 The mean plasma loxapine concentrations following administration of inhaled loxapine were linear over the clinical dose range; AUC and maximum concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner.

Loxapine is removed rapidly from the plasma and distributed in tissues.19 In animal studies, an initial preferential distribution in the lungs, brain, spleen, heart, and kidney was observed after oral administration.19 The concentration of loxapine and its metabolites after the initial distribution phase is similar to that of oral loxapine.34 Loxapine is 96.6% bound to human plasma proteins.19

Loxapine undergoes extensive metabolism in the liver following oral administration, with multiple metabolites formed.19 The main metabolic pathways include: (1) hydroxylation to form 8-OH-loxapine by cytochrome P450 1A2 and 7-OH-loxapine by cytochrome P450 3A4 and cytochrome P450 2D6; (2) N-oxidation to form loxapine N-oxide by flavonoid monoamine oxidases; and (3) demethylation to form amoxapine.19 Because of the presence of multiple metabolic pathways, the risk of metabolic interactions is minimal. For inhaled loxapine, the order of metabolites observed in people based on systemic exposure was 8-OH-loxapine >> loxapine N-oxide, 7-OH-loxapine > amoxapine.19 Plasma levels of 8-OH-loxapine are similar to those of the parent compound. Among the subjects receiving 5 mg and 10 mg, exposure to the metabolites of loxapine as a percentage of exposure to the parent compound were approximately 9% for 7-OH loxapine, 53% for 8-OH loxapine, and 4% for amoxapine.34 Amoxapine itself is approved by the FDA for depression.35 Loxapine is not extensively metabolized in the lungs. Cigarette smoking does not appear to significantly alter the absorption or metabolism of inhaled loxapine,30 with geometric mean ratios for smokers versus nonsmokers of 92%, 85%, and 99% for AUC (0–2 hours), AUC (0–∞), and maximum concentration, respectively;19 thus, no dosage adjustment is recommended based on smoking status.19

Excretion of inhaled loxapine occurs mainly in the first 24 hours.19 Metabolites are excreted in the urine in the form of conjugates and in the feces unconjugated.

In vitro studies indicated that loxapine was not a substrate for P-glycoprotein; however, loxapine inhibited P-glycoprotein.19

There were no clinically significant differences in loxapine pharmacokinetics following administration of inhaled loxapine in subgroups based on age, weight, body mass index, gender, or race.19

Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of inhaled loxapine

Efficacy

Table 2 summarizes the design of the randomized controlled trials conducted in persons with schizophrenia or bipolar mania. All studies were double-blind and compared inhaled loxapine 5 or 10 mg versus inhaled placebo. During the screening period, a study nurse demonstrated to each patient how to use the device. Inclusion criteria included clinically relevant agitation, as measured by a minimum score of 14 on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – Excited Component (PANSS-EC), consisting of the PANSS items of tension, excitement, hostility, uncooperativeness, and poor impulse control (each item rated from one [absent] to seven [extreme]) and a score of at least four (moderate) on at least one item. Excluded were patients who had a positive urine drug screen.28 Intramuscular lorazepam was allowed as a rescue medication at any time after the inhalation in the Phase II study or after a second dose of the randomized medication in the Phase III studies. Table 3 summarizes the efficacy results. Reduction of agitation for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mania was rapid and robust. In the Phase III trials, number needed to treat (NNT)36 to achieve ≥ 40% reduction from baseline on the PANSS-EC at 2 hours after dose administration was four (95% confidence interval [CI] 3–6) for inhaled loxapine 10 mg versus placebo for agitation associated with schizophrenia, and three (95% CI 2–3) for agitation associated with bipolar mania.29 This compares favorably when examining the analogous outcomes for intramuscular ziprasidone, olanzapine, or aripiprazole with NNT values of three (95% CI 2–4), three (95% CI 2–3), and five (95% CI 4–8), respectively, as well as for intramuscular haloperidol and lorazepam, with NNT values of four (95% CI 3–5) and four (95% CI 3–7), respectively.16 NNT for inhaled loxapine Clinical Global Impressions – Improvement scale responders mirrors that for PANSS-EC responders.29 In the Phase III trials for inhaled loxapine, the NNT values for Clinical Global Impressions – Improvement scale responders, PANSS-EC responders, and requirement for an additional dose and/or rescue medication point to a dose response relationship where inhaled loxapine 10 mg appears superior to 5 mg (Table 3). When examining each individual item on the PANSS-EC in each of the Phase III trials, every item improved with treatment, starting at 10–20 minutes after dosing.37 In addition, inhaled loxapine appears to reduce agitation equally well in patients with higher or lower levels of agitation at baseline, as defined by a baseline PANSS-EC > 17 versus ≤17.37

Table 2.

Randomized controlled trials of inhaled loxapine – design

Study	Phase	Diagnosis	Subject demographics and clinical characteristics	N			Outcome variables
				Loxapine		Placebo
				5 mg	10 mg
Allen et al22	II	Agitation associated with schizophrenia	81% men; 44% African American; mean age 41 years; diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder 20%–22%; mean baseline PANSS-EC 17–18	45	41	43	Change in the PANSS-EC was measured 10 minutes to 24 hours after the administration of the first dose of inhaled loxapine. The primary endpoint used to statistically test loxapine versus placebo was at 2 hours postdose Change from baseline agitation at 2 hours after drug administration using the CGI-I, and proportion classified as CGI-I responders (as defined as a CGI-I score of one or two at 2 hours after drug administration, representing “very much improved” or “much improved”) Change from baseline on the BARS by time point and change in patient activity as measured with a wrist- worn actigraph (piezoelectric accelerometer)
Lesem et al23	III	Agitation associated with schizophrenia	70%–76% men; 53%–61% African American; mean age 42–44 years; mean baseline PANSS-EC 17–18	116	113	115	Change in the PANSS-EC was measured 10 minutes to 24 hours after the administration of the first dose of inhaled loxapine. The primary endpoint used to statistically test loxapine versus placebo was at 2 hours postdose Change from baseline agitation at 2 hours after drug administration using the CGI-I, and proportion classified as CGI-I responders (as defined as a CGI-I score of one or two at 2 hours after drug administration, representing “very much improved” or “much improved”) Change on the ACES at 2 hours postdose administration Post hoc determinations of PANSS-EC responder status were made, with response defined as a ≥40% reduction from baseline on the PANSS-EC at 2 hours postdose
Kwentus et al24	III	Agitation associated with bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episode)	45%–53% men, 37%–51% African American, mean age 41 years, 28%–35% mixed episode, mean baseline PANSS-EC 17–18	104	105	105	5. Same as for Lesem et al23 above

Note: Copyright © 2011. John Wiley and Sons. Adapted with permission from Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Citrome L. Aerosolised antipsychotic assuages agitation: inhaled loxapine for agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Int J Clin Pract. 2011;65(3):330–340.28

Abbreviations: ACES, Agitation–Calmness Evaluation Scale; BARS, Behavioral Activity Rating Scale; CGI-I, Clinical Global Impressions – Improvement scale; PANSS-EC, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – Excited Component.

Table 3.

Randomized controlled trials of inhaled loxapine – efficacy results

Study	Outcomes	Loxapine versus placebo NNT (95% CI) for CGI-I response at 2 hours		Loxapine versus placebo NNT (95% CI) for PANSS-EC response at 2 hours		Loxapine versus placebo NNT (95% CI) for requiring only first dose by 24 hours and no rescue medication*
		5 mg	10 mg	5 mg	10 mg	5 mg	10 mg
Allen et al22	Loxapine 10 mg, but not 5 mg, was superior to placebo on change in the PANSS-EC at 2 hours; mean 2 hour PANSS-EC scores were nine, eleven, and 13 for loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively. The 5 mg dose effect size was intermediate between placebo and the 10 mg dose, suggesting a possible dose response relationship. The 10 mg dose separated from placebo as early as 20 minutes postdose, in contrast to the 5 mg dose which never separated from placebo to a statistically significant degree. Scores on the CGI-I scale at 2 hours after dose administration showed statistically significant effects of both the 10 mg (mean CGI-I 2.3) and 5 mg (mean CGI-I 2.6) loxapine dose versus placebo (mean CGI-I 3.2). BARS scores at 2 hours after inhalation demonstrated a statistically significant change from baseline for the 10 mg, but not the 5 mg dose group. Time to administration of first rescue medication (intramuscular lorazepam 0.5–2 mg) and overall use of rescue medication demonstrated advantages for both doses of inhaled loxapine versus placebo. Proportions of subjects receiving rescue medication were 15%, 11%, and 33% for those randomized to loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively.	4 (3–12)	3 (2–5)	NA	NA	5 (3–22)	6 (NS)
Lesem et al23	Both doses of loxapine, 5 and 10 mg, were superior to placebo on change in the PANSS-EC at 2 hours, with mean 2 hour PANSS-EC scores of approximately nine, ten, and twelve for loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively. Both doses of loxapine demonstrated superiority to placebo as early as 10 minutes postinhalation. Scores on the CGI-I scale at 2 hours after dose administration showed statistically significant effects of both the 10 mg (mean CGI-I 2.1) and 5 mg (mean CGI-I 2.3) loxapine dose versus placebo (mean CGI-I 2.8). A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of the time to a second dose of medication (if needed) demonstrated superiority of loxapine 10 mg over placebo, but not so for the 5 mg dose, suggesting a possible dose response. Proportions of subjects receiving rescue medication (intramuscular lorazepam, permitted after a second dose of randomized medication) were 5%, 6%, and 16% for those randomized to loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively. Once randomized, no patient dropped out for failure to follow the inhalation instructions or an inability (or refusal) to take a dose of study drug. The ACES scores at 2 hours demonstrated that no patient had a score of nine (unarousable), and the mean ratings for the groups receiving inhaled loxapine were in the range of mild calmness (5 mg group: 4.7; 10 mg group: 4.9, where four = normal and five = mild calmness).	5 (3–11)	4 (3–6)	5 (3–9)	4 (3–6)	12 (NS)	7 (4–52)
Kwentus et al24	Both doses of loxapine, 5 and 10 mg, were superior to placebo on change in the PANSS-EC at 2 hours, with mean 2 hour PANSS-EC scores of approximately eight, nine, and 13 for loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively. Both doses of loxapine demonstrated superiority to placebo as early as 10 minutes postinhalation. Scores on the CGI-I scale at 2 hours after dose administration showed statistically significant effects of both the 10 mg (mean CGI-I 1.9) and 5 mg (mean CGI-I 2.1) loxapine dose versus placebo (mean CGI-I 3.0). Survival analysis of the time to a second dose of medication (if needed) demonstrated superiority of both loxapine 10 and 5 mg over placebo. Proportions of subjects receiving rescue medication (intramuscular lorazepam, permitted after a second dose of randomized medication) were 9%, 9%, and 21% for those randomized to loxapine 10 mg, loxapine 5 mg, and placebo, respectively. The ACES scores at 2 hours demonstrated that no patient had a score of nine (unarousable), and the mean ratings for the groups receiving inhaled loxapine were in the range of mild calmness (5 mg group: 4.7; 10 mg group: 5.1, where four = normal and five = mild calmness).	3 (2–4)	3 (2–3)	3 (3–5)	3 (2–3)	7 (4–51)	3 (3–5)

Notes:

^*In contrast to the Phase III studies, the Phase II study did not include the possibility of a second dose of inhaled loxapine but did allow rescue medication with intramuscular lorazepam; additional NNT data from Citrome;29 CGI-I responders defined as subjects who have a CGI-I score of one (very much improved) or two (much improved) at 2 hours after inhalation; PANSS-EC responders defined as subjects who have a ≥40% reduction from baseline on the PANSS-EC at 2 hours after inhalation. Copyright © 2011. John Wiley and Sons. Adapted with permission from Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Citrome L. Aerosolised antipsychotic assuages agitation: inhaled loxapine for agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Int J Clin Pract. 2011;65(3):330–340.28

Abbreviations: ACES, Agitation–Calmness Evaluation Scale; BARS, Behavioral Activity Rating Scale; CGI-I, Clinical Global Impressions – Improvement scale; CI, confidence interval; NA, not available; NNT, number needed to treat; NS, not significant; PANSS-EC, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale – Excited Component.

Tolerability

As per product labeling,19 the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 2% and greater than placebo) were dysgeusia (distortion of the sense of taste or a bad taste in the mouth), sedation, and throat irritation. These specific adverse events and extrapyramidal symptoms are outlined in Table 4 for the pooled Phase II and III study results.25 Number needed to harm (NNH)38 for dysgeusia for inhaled loxapine versus placebo is 16 (95% CI 10–58) for the 5 mg dose and eleven (95% CI 7–23) for the 10 mg dose. NNH for throat irritation is statistically significant only for the 10 mg dose (44; 95% CI 23–472). NNH for sedation/somnolence is not statistically significant for either 5 mg or 10 mg of inhaled loxapine. Extrapyramidal symptoms including akathisia were sufficiently uncommon to result in statistically nonsignificant values for NNH versus placebo. This extrapyramidal symptom tolerability profile appears superior to that observed for intramuscular haloperidol in clinical trials, with NNH values of haloperidol 7.5 mg versus placebo as robust as six (95% CI 4–23) for Parkinsonism.16

Table 4.

Randomized controlled trials of inhaled loxapine – pooled tolerability results: incidence and number needed to harm versus placebo (95% confidence interval)

Adverse event	Placebo (N = 263)		Loxapine 5 mg (N = 265)		Loxapine 10 mg (N = 259)
	n (%)	n (%)	NNH (95% CI)	n (%)	NNH (95% CI)
Dysgeusia	13 (4.9)	30 (11.3)	16 (10–58)	37 (14.3)	11 (7–23)
Sedation/somnolence	25 (9.5)	32 (12.1)	39 (NS)	31 (12.0)	41 (NS)
Throat irritation	1 (0.4)	2 (0.8)	267 (NS)	7 (2.7)	44 (23–472)
Any extrapyramidal symptom adverse event	1 (0.4)	5 (1.9)	67 (NS)	4 (1.5)	86 (NS)
Akathisia	0	1 (0.4)	265 (NS)	1 (0.4)	259 (NS)

Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; NNH, number needed to harm; NS, not significant.

Pulmonary safety

The product label has a bolded boxed warning in place stating that inhaled loxapine “can cause bronchospasm that has the potential to lead to respiratory distress and respiratory arrest,”19 although complications of bronchospasm were not observed in the clinical trial program. Contraindications to the use of inhaled loxapine include current diagnosis or history of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other lung disease associated with bronchospasm; acute respiratory signs/symptoms (eg, wheezing); current use of medications to treat airways disease, such as asthma or COPD; history of bronchospasm following treatment with inhaled loxapine; and known hypersensitivity to loxapine or amoxapine.19 Prior to administering inhaled loxapine, patients must be screened for a history of pulmonary disease, and examined by chest auscultation for respiratory abnormalities such as wheezing. After administration, patients are required to be monitored for signs and symptoms of bronchospasm at least every 15 minutes for at least 1 hour. These and other requirements are articulated in the FDA-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy designed to ensure that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risk of bronchospasm.18,19,39 Inhaled loxapine is to be made available in the US only in an enrolled health care facility that has immediate access onsite to equipment and personnel trained to manage acute bronchospasm, including advanced airway management (intubation and mechanical ventilation).19 Wholesalers and distributors in the US that distribute inhaled loxapine must also enroll in the program and distribute only to enrolled health care facilities. The manufacturer is required to submit to the FDA all initial and follow-up adverse drug experiences pertaining to respiratory events, including but not limited to the following: asthma, COPD, bronchospasm, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Also required are reports of respiratory events requiring intervention, such as treatment with a bronchodilator or other rescue medications, oxygen, intubation, mechanical ventilation (invasive and noninvasive), an emergency department visit/prolongation of an existing visit, or hospitalization/prolongation of an existing hospitalization.

In the clinical trial program, among the 1095 study subjects without active airway disease who received inhaled loxapine, one (0.09%) required treatment with albuterol for bronchospasm. Cough was the most common airway adverse event in the inhaled loxapine-treated subjects (19/1095; 1.7%), and these events were all rated as mild (N = 18) or moderate (N = 1) and were self-limiting. Among inhaled loxapine-treated patients in the Phase II/III agitated patient population, there were four airway adverse events; all were mild or moderate, none was judged to be a serious adverse event, and only one required intervention (the use of albuterol noted above), which led to resolution. Approximately 87% of patients in the Phase II/III agitated patient population were current or ex-smokers, with 22% having ≥20 pack-years of cigarette use.25 Product labeling19 notes bronchospasm (which includes reports of wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough) occurred more frequently in the inhaled loxapine group compared to the placebo group: 0% (0/263) in the placebo group and 0.8% (2/259) in the inhaled loxapine 10 mg group for an NNH versus placebo of 130 (not significant). Supplementing this information are the results of three Phase I spirometry studies comparing loxapine 10 mg versus placebo in nonagitated subjects: a study in healthy nonsmoking volunteers, another in subjects with mild or moderate persistent asthma, and a third study in subjects with COPD, most (89%) with moderate or severe disease.25 For each study, the primary safety measure was the volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation starting from a position of full inspiration (FEV₁). No clinically relevant effect on airways in the study of healthy volunteers was observed but this was not the case for subjects with asthma or COPD. Table 5 summarizes the key findings, with data from the manufacturer25 and NNH values previously reported.29 The NNH for reduction in FEV₁ values was more pronounced in the asthma study compared to the COPD study. FEV₁ values returned to within 10% of baseline by the end of the 34-hour evaluation period for all participants in the asthma study. All airway adverse events in these subjects with asthma or COPD were mild or moderate. Regarding the adverse event of bronchospasm, this appeared to be associated with asthma and not COPD. All respiratory signs or symptoms requiring treatment in the Phase I asthma and COPD studies were readily managed with an inhaled bronchodilator.

Table 5.

Inhaled loxapine in subjects with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – pulmonary findings

Outcome	Asthma			COPD
	Placebo (N = 26)	Loxapine 10 mg (N = 26)		Placebo (N = 27)	Loxapine 10 mg (N = 26)*
	n (%)	n (%)	NNH (95% CI)	n (%)	n (%)	NNH (95% CI)
≥10% reduction in FEV1	3 (12)	22 (85)	2 (2–2)	18 (67)	20 (80)	8 (NS)
≥20% reduction in FEV1	1 (4)	11 (42)	3 (2–6)	3 (11)	10 (40)	4 (2–16)
Any airway adverse event	3 (12)	14 (54)	3 (2–6)	3 (11)	5 (19)	13 (NS)
Adverse event of bronchospasm	1 (4)	7 (27)	5 (3–23)	1 (4)	0	NA
Albuterol use	3 (12)	14 (54)	3 (2–6)	4 (15)	6 (23)	13 (NS)

Note:

^*Spirometry data not available for one subject, thus N = 25.

Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; FEV₁, volume of air exhaled in the first second of a forced exhalation starting from a position of full inspiration; NA, not applicable; NNH, number needed to harm; NS, not significant.

Other safety issues

Inhaled loxapine did not prolong the electrocardiogram QT interval, as assessed in a thorough QT study.19 Potential drug–drug interactions include the possibility for respiratory depression, hypotension, profound sedation, and syncope when combined with other central nervous system depressants.19 Because inhaled loxapine has anticholinergic activity, the concomitant use of inhaled loxapine with other anticholinergic drugs can increase the risk of anticholinergic adverse reactions such as exacerbation of glaucoma and urinary retention.19 Antipsychotic class-level warnings and precautions include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, hypotension and syncope, seizure, potential for cognitive and motor impairment, and cerebrovascular adverse reactions/increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.19,40

Patient-focused perspectives

Careful consideration of a patient’s individual preferences and values are an important component in the practice of evidence-based medicine41 and helps to enhance the therapeutic alliance. For patients who have an aversion to injections and/or who perceive them to be a form of forced treatment, inhaled loxapine may be a useful alternative to intramuscular injection when rapid control of agitation is required. Further research examining this would be helpful, and should include measures of quality of life, patient satisfaction and acceptability, and adherence.

Regulatory issues

In addition to the FDA-mandated Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, the FDA has also required the conduct of a large, nonrandomized, open-label, postmarketing observational study to assess the risks of bronchospasm and related respiratory adverse events and serious outcomes (eg, hospitalization, intubation, mechanical ventilation, or rescue medication for the management of respiratory reactions) associated with inhaled loxapine.18 Pediatric studies for the acute treatment of agitation associated with schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder in patients aged 10–17 years are also being required.18

Conclusion and place in therapy

Inhaled loxapine is a possible alternative to parenteral injections of other antipsychotics for the rapid reduction of agitation in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Because of pulmonary safety concerns, the FDA has mandated a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy restricting the use of inhaled loxapine to enrolled hospitals and placing a limit on the number of administrations to a single 10 mg dose in any one 24-hour period. In Europe, similar restrictions are in place but both the 5 mg and 10 mg doses are approved and patients may receive up to two doses, spaced 2 hours apart. Efficacy in terms of speed and degree of reduction of agitation is comparable to that for intramuscular injections of first- or second-generation antipsychotics, or lorazepam. Dysgeusia is the most frequently encountered adverse event (incidence with 10 mg is 14% versus 5% for placebo, yielding an NNH of eleven). Extrapyramidal adverse events or akathisia adverse events are relatively rare. Because inhaled loxapine is self-administered under medical supervision, it is unlikely to be considered during emergencies when a patient is actively refusing medication treatment. However, patients may express a preference for inhaled loxapine over intramuscular injection of an alternative antiagitation agent when rapid reduction of agitation is desired and the appearance of coercion is problematic.