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Loxapine for Reversal of Antipsychotic-Induced Metabolic Disturbances: A Chart Review

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Abstract

Loxapine substitution is a promising option for patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who develop antipsychotic-induced metabolic illness. We performed a chart review of 15 adolescents and adults meeting DSM-IV-TR criteria for ASD, all with antipsychotic-associated weight gain, who received low dose loxapine in an attempt to taper or discontinue the weight gain-associated antipsychotic. Mean weight loss was −5.7 kg, mean BMI reduction was −1.9, and mean triglyceride reduction was −33.7 mg/dl. At chart review, 14 of 15 subjects were rated 2 (Much Improved) or 1 (Very Much Improved) on the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I). Low dose loxapine addition in most cases enabled taper of offending antipsychotics, significantly reversed drug-induced metabolic disturbances and improved irritability.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by two funding sources: Medical Student Research Scholarship at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH; The Ohio State University Nisonger Center Internal Funding, Columbus, OH.

Author Contributions

SJ participated in study design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and drafting of manuscript. RA participated in analysis and interpretation of data. JH conceived of study and participated in study design, acquisition of data, and drafting of manuscript. All authors read and approve the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 370 W 9th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Seema Jain

  2. The Ohio State University College of Public Health, Columbus, OH, USA

    Rebecca Andridge

  3. The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Jessica A. Hellings

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  1. Seema Jain
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  2. Rebecca Andridge
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  3. Jessica A. Hellings
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Correspondence to Seema Jain.

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Jain, S., Andridge, R. & Hellings, J.A. Loxapine for Reversal of Antipsychotic-Induced Metabolic Disturbances: A Chart Review. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1344–1353 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2675-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2675-3

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