Inhaled Loxapine As a Rapid Treatment for Agitation in Patients with Personality Disorder: A Prospective Study on the Effects of Time

Overview

Journal Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2022 Jul 25

PMID 35879032

Authors

Marc Ferrer

Oscar Soto-Angona

Maria Soler-Artigas

Pol Ibanez

Christian Fadeuilhe

Raul Felipe Palma-Alvarez

Raquefet Lidai

Sebastian Vargas-Caceres

Maria Angeles Torrecilla

Anna Lopez

Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Agitation in patients diagnosed with personality disorders (PD) is one of the most frequent crises in emergency departments (ED). Although many medications have been tested, their effectiveness has been small or non-significant, and no specific drugs are supported by the available evidence. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Inhaled loxapine (IL) as a therapeutic option for agitated patients with PD.

Methods: A naturalistic, unicentric, prospective study was carried out. Thirty subjects diagnosed with PD and attending the ED with episodes of agitation were recruited most of whom were women diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Subjects were treated with a single dose of IL (9.1 mg). Efficacy was assessed with the Clinical Global Impression scale, the Excited Component of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS-EC) and the Agitation-Calmness Evaluation Scale (ACES). Patients were followed 60 minutes after administration to measure IL effect and its duration.

Results: IL exhibited an overall efficacy in managing mild to severe agitation, with a quick onset of effect and persistence. 'Effect of time', where IL efficacy is maintained over time, is more marked in higher-severity agitation. No additional treatments were needed to improve agitation during the follow-up time.

Conclusion: Results suggest that IL could be a safe and effective option to manage agitation in PD.

Citing Articles

Prescription Patterns of Intramuscular Medication for Psychomotor Agitation: A Survey of Italian Psychiatrists.

Crapanzano C, Redaelli N, Politano A, Casolaro I, Amendola C Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2024; 22(2):376-382.

PMID: 38627085 PMC: 11024696. DOI: 10.9758/cpn.23.1141.

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