Loxapine

IUPAC nomenclature

8-chloro-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)benzo[b][1,4]benzoxazepine.

Classification

Loxapine is an antipsychotic drug.

Physiochemical Properties

Mechanism of Action

Loxapine is a dopamine antagonist and serotonin 5-HT₂ blocker. Exact mechanism of action is not known. Changes in the level of excitability of subcortical inhibitory areas have been observed, producing calming effects and suppression of aggressive behavior.

Structure Activity Relationship

Structure activity relationship of phenothiazine like compounds can be described as follows:

• Tilting of side chain towards ring A grants favorable Vander Waal’s interaction of the side chain. This interaction decides the potency of the drug towards the dopamine receptors.
• Optimal neuroleptic activity occurs when the ring A substituent is in the 2^nd-position.
• A trifluoromethyl substituent provides a greater number of favorable Van der Waal’s contacts with the side chain than the chlorine substituent. Thus, phenothiazne with trifluoromethyl substituents are more potent than those with chlorine substituent.
• A piperazine side chain provides more Van der Waal’s contacts with 2-substituent than the alkylamino side chain. Thus, piperizine phenothiazine are more potent in antischizophrenic effects than alkylamino phenothiazines.
• Hydroxyethylpiperazine side chain phenothiazines displays more favorable Van der Waal’s interactions with ring A than simple piperazines.
• In the thioxanthene and xanthenes containing ring systems, the cis forms are more potent neuroleptics than the trans isomers.
• Phenothiazine analogues having the presence of exolytic double bond are more potent than the corresponding compounds lacking the exolytic double bonds. [1]

Method of synthesis

i. 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)anyline undergoes acylation using ethylchloroformate to produce N-ethoxycrbonyl-2-(4-chlorophenoxy)aniline.

ii. Treatment of the above formed compound with the mixture of phosphorus oxychloride and phosphorus anhydride yields loxapine.[2]

Therapeutic Uses

Loxapine is used for:

• Treatment of schizophrenia
• Reducing nervousness
• Reducing aggression
• Decreasing hallucinations

Side Effects

Side effects of loxapine are:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping
• Stiff muscles
• Muscle spasms
• Twisting neck
• Arching back
• Eyes rolling up
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

MCQs

Q.1 What are the correct statements related with the physicochemical properties of Loxapine drug?

I. Molecular weight = 300 gm/mol

II. It appears as pale yellow crystals

III. No chiral carbon is present in its structure

IV. Phenothiazine ring is present in the structure

a) I, II, III

b) I, II, IV

c) II, III

d) I. II. III. IV

Q.2 Match the following of the drugs with their correct IUPAC names.

 a) i-B, ii-C, iii-A, iv-D

b) i-C, ii-A, iii-D, iv-B

c) i-A, ii-C, iii-D, iv-B

d) i-D, ii-A, iii-C, iv-B

Q.3 Loxapine is antagonist for which receptors?

I. Dopaminergic receptors

II. Serotonin 5-HT2

III. ß-adrenoceptors

IV. α-adrenoceptors

a) I, III, IV

b) I, II

c) III, IV

d) I, II, IV

Q.4 Correct sequence for True/false for the classification of the drug can be?

• Loxapine: antipsychotic drug
• Ritonavir: benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic
• Ribavirin: Guanosine nucleoside antiviral drug
• Triazolam: Benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic

a) TFTT

b) TTFF

c) FFTT

d) FFFT

Q.5 Greater potency of phenothiazines with Piperazine side chain substitution is due to?

a) Greater number of favourable Van der Waal’s contacts

b) Bleaching action of chlorine

c) Affinity of fluorine with potassium is higher

d) High molecular weight of fluorine

Q.6 Correct steps for the synthesis of loxapine drug from 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)anyline is?

I. Treatment with Phosphoprus oxychloride

II. Treatment with the mixture of Phosphorus oxychloride and Phosphorus anhydride

III. Acylation with Ethylchloroformate

IV. Alkylation with Ethylchloroformate

a) I – III

b) III – II

c) II – IV

d) III – II

Q.7 Side effect of drug Loxapine are?

a) Depression

b) Muscle spasms

c) Constipation

d) All of the above

For More Standard and Quality Question Bank you can Join Our Test Series Programme for GPAT, NIPER JEE, Pharmacist Recruitment Exam, Drug Inspector Recruitment Exams, PhD Entrance Exam for Pharmacy

Participate in Online FREE  GPAT  TEST: CLICK HERE

  Participate in Online FREE  Pharmacist  TEST: CLICK HERE 

Participate in Online FREE  Drug Inspector  TEST: CLICK HERE 

ANSWERS

1-c

2-a

3-b

4-a

5-a

6-d

7-d

REFERENCES