What is Loxen?
Loxen is used alone or together with other medicines to treat severe chest pain (angina) or high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Loxen is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, Loxen relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.
Loxen is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Loxen indications
I. Stable Angina
Loxen capsules are indicated for the management of patients with chronic stable angina (effort-associated angina). They may be used alone or in combination with beta-blockers.
II. Hypertension
Loxen capsules are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Loxen capsules may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. In administering Loxen it is important to be aware of the relatively large peak to trough differences in blood pressure effect.
How should I use Loxen?
Use Loxen sustained-release capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Loxen sustained-release capsules by mouth with or without food, but do not take with a high-fat meal.
- Swallow Loxen sustained-release capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Loxen sustained-release capsules unless your doctor directs you otherwise.
- If you miss a dose of Loxen sustained-release capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Loxen sustained-release capsules.
Uses of Loxen in details
Loxen is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Loxen is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
Loxen is also used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat attacks of chest pain when they occur. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
How to use Loxen
Take this medication by mouth, usually 3 times daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens (for example, your routine blood pressure readings remain high or increase, your chest pain is more frequent or severe).
Loxen description
A potent calcium channel blockader with marked vasodilator action. It has antihypertensive properties and is effective in the treatment of angina and coronary spasms without showing cardiodepressant effects. It has also been used in the treatment of asthma and enhances the action of specific antineoplastic agents. [PubChem]
Loxen dosage
Loxen Dosage
Generic name: Loxen
Dosage form: sustained release capsules
See also:
- Loxen Injection injection, solution
- Loxen capsule, extended release
The information at Drugs.com is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The dose of Loxen should be individually adjusted according to the blood pressure response beginning with 30 mg two times daily. The effective doses in clinical trials have ranged from 30 mg to 60 mg two times daily. The maximum blood pressure lowering effect at steady-state is sustained from 2 hours until 6 hours after dosing.
When initiating therapy or upon increasing dose, blood pressure should be measured 2 to 4 hours after the first dose or dose increase, as well as at the end of a dosing interval.
The total daily dose of immediate release Loxen may not be a useful guide to judging the effective dose of Loxen. Patients currently receiving immediate release Loxen may be titrated with Loxen starting at their current total daily dose of immediate release Loxen and then reexamined to assess the adequacy of blood pressure control.
Concomitant Use With Other Antihypertensive Agents
- Diuretics: Loxen may be safely coadministered with thiazide diuretics.
- Beta-Blockers: Loxen may be safely coadministered with beta-blockers.
Special Patient Populations
Renal Insufficiency
Although there is no evidence that Loxen impairs renal function, careful dose titration beginning with 30-mg Loxen bid is advised.
Hepatic Insufficiency
Loxen has not been studied in patients with severe liver impairment.
Congestive Heart Failure
Caution is advised when titrating Loxen dosage in patients with congestive heart failure.
More about Loxen (Loxen)
- Side Effects
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Dosage Information
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- Support Group
- En Espanol
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- Generic Availability
Consumer resources
- Loxen
- Loxen (Advanced Reading)
- Loxen
Intravenous (Advanced Reading)
Professional resources
- Loxen (AHFS Monograph)
- Loxen (FDA)
Other formulations
- Loxen IV
- Loxen
Related treatment guides
- Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
Loxen interactions
See also:
What other drugs will affect Loxen?
Beta-Blockers
In controlled clinical studies, adrenergic beta-receptor blockers have been frequently administered concomitantly with Loxen HCl. The combination is well tolerated.
Cimetidine
Cimetidine increases Loxen HCl plasma levels. Patients receiving the two drugs concomitantly should be carefully monitored.
Digoxin
Some calcium blockers may increase the concentration of digitalis preparations in the blood. Loxen HCl usually does not alter the plasma levels of digoxin, however, serum digoxin levels should be evaluated after concomitant therapy with Loxen HCl is initiated.
Maalox®*
Coadministration of Maalox TC had no effect on Loxen HCl absorption.
Fentanyl Anesthesia
Severe hypotension has been reported during fentanyl anesthesia with concomitant use of a beta-blocker and a calcium channel blocker. Even though such interactions were not seen during clinical studies with Loxen HCl, an increased volume of circulating fluids might be required if such an interaction were to occur.
Cyclosporine
Concomitant administration of Loxen and cyclosporine levels. Plasma concentrations of cyclosporine should therefore be closely monitored, and its dosage reduced accordingly, in patients treated with Loxen.
When therapeutic concentrations of furosemide, propranolol, dipyridamole, warfarin, quinidine, or naproxen were added to human plasma (in vitro), the plasma protein binding of Loxen HCl was not altered.
Loxen side effects
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Loxen?
In multiple-dose US and foreign controlled studies, 667 patients received Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules). In these studies adverse events were elicited by nondirected and in some cases directed questioning; adverse events were generally not serious and about 9% of patients withdrew prematurely from the studies because of them.
Hypertension
The incidence rates of adverse events in hypertensive patients were derived from placebo-controlled clinical trials. Following are the rates of adverse events for Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules) (n=322) and placebo (n=140), respectively, that occurred in 0.6% of patients or more on Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules). These represent events considered probably drug related by the investigator. Where the frequency of adverse events for Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules) and placebo is similar, causal relationship is uncertain. The only dose-related effect was pedal edema.
Percentage of Patients With Probably Drug Related Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies
| Adverse Event | Loxen (n=322) | Placebo (n=140) |
| Headache | 6.2 | 7.1 |
| Pedal Edema | 5.9 | 1.4 |
| Vasodilatation | 4.7 | 1.4 |
| Palpitation | 2.8 | 1.4 |
| Nausea | 1.9 | 0.7 |
| Dizziness | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| Asthenia | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Postural Hypotension | 0.9 | 0 |
| Increased Urinary Frequency | 0.6 | 0 |
| Pain | 0.6 | 0 |
| Rash | 0.6 | 0 |
| Sweating Increased | 0.6 | 0 |
| Vomiting | 0.6 | 0 |
Incidence (%) of Discontinuations Due to Any Adverse Event in Placebo-Controlled Studies
| Adverse Event | Loxen (n=322) | Placebo (n=140) |
| Headache | 2.5 | 1.4 |
| Palpitation | 2.2 | 0.7 |
| Dizziness | 1.9 | 0.7 |
| Asthenia | 1.9 | 0 |
| Pedal Edema | 1.2 | 0 |
| Nausea | 1.2 | 0 |
| Rash | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Diarrhea | 0.9 | 0 |
| Tachycardia | 0.9 | 0 |
| Blurred Vision | 0.6 | 0 |
| Chest Pain | 0.6 | 0 |
| Face Edema | 0.6 | 0 |
| Myocardial Infarct | 0.6 | 0 |
| Vasodilatation | 0.6 | 0 |
| Vomiting | 0.6 | 0 |
Uncontrolled experience in over 300 patients with hypertension treated for up to 27.5 months with Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules) has shown no unexpected adverse events or increase in incidence of adverse events compared to the controlled clinical trials.
Rare Events
The following rare adverse events have been reported in clinical trials or the literature:
Body as a Whole: infection, allergic reaction
Cardiovascular: hypotension, atypical chest pain, peripheral vascular disorder, ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia, angina pectoris
Digestive: sore throat, abnormal liver chemistries
Musculoskeletal: arthralgia
Nervous: hot flashes, vertigo, hyperkinesia, impotence, depression, confusion, anxiety
Respiratory: rhinitis, sinusitis
Special Senses: tinnitus, abnormal vision, blurred vision
Angina
Data are available from only 91 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris who received Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules) 30 to 60 mg administered twice daily in open-label clinical trials. Fifty-eight of these patients were treated for at least 30 days. The four most frequently reported adverse events thought by the investigators to be probably related to the use of Loxen (Loxen sustained release capsules) were vasodilatation (5.5%), pedal edema (4.4%), asthenia (4.4%), and dizziness (3.3%).
Loxen contraindications
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Loxen?
Loxen HCl is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the drug.
Because proof of the effect of Loxen HCl is secondary to reduced afterload, the drug is also contraindicated in patients with advanced aortic stenosis. Reduction of diastolic pressure in these patients may worsen rather than improve myocardial oxygen balance.
Active ingredient matches for Loxen:
Nicardipine in Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Cote D'ivoire, France, Gabon, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Zaire.
Nicardipine hydrochloride in France, Turkey.
| Unit description / dosage (Manufacturer) | Price, USD |
| Injectable; Injection; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 1 mg / ml | |
| Tablet; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 20 mg | |
List of Loxen substitutes (brand and generic names): | |
| Lisanirc (Italy) | |
| Loxen Liam (Lebanon) | |
| Loxen LP (Tunisia) | |
| Capsule, Prolonged Release; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 50 mg | |
| Loxen LP 50 mg x 60 Tablet | |
| Loxen Tab (Vietnam) | |
| Loxen Tab 20 mg x 30 Tablet | |
| Lucenfal (Spain) | |
| Micard (Egypt) | |
| Mitapilla (Japan) | |
| Nerdipina (Portugal, Spain) | |
| Nerdipina Retard (Spain) | |
| Nerdipine (Thailand) | |
| Neucor (Italy) | |
| Nicadirus L (Japan) | |
| Nicafer (Indonesia) | |
| Nicant (Italy) | |
| Nicapress (Italy) | |
| Nicardal (Italy) | |
| Nicardal Retard (Italy) | |
| Nicardex (Indonesia) | |
| Nicardipina Dorom (Italy) | |
| Nicardipina Mylan (Italy) | |
| Nicardipine (China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan) | |
| Capsule; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 5 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 10 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 20 mg | |
| Capsule; Oral; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 30 mg | |
| Injectable; Injection; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 1 mg / ml | |
| Injectable; Injection; Nicardipine Hydrochloride 2.5 mg / ml | |
| Cardene SR 60 60 mg 12 Hour Capsule Bottle | $ 142.91 |
| Nicardipine 25 mg/10 ml ampule | $ 25.01 |
| Nicardipine 25 mg/10 ml vial | $ 10.42 |
| Cardene SR 45 mg 12 Hour Capsule | $ 3.22 |
| Cardene sr 45 mg capsule | $ 2.90 |
| Cardene sr 60 mg capsule sa | $ 2.29 |
| Cardene SR 30 mg 12 Hour Capsule | $ 2.02 |
| Cardene sr 45 mg capsule sa | $ 1.91 |
| Cardene-dex 40 mg/200 ml iv | $ 1.35 |
| Cardene-nacl 40 mg/200 ml iv | $ 1.35 |
| Cardene 30 mg capsule | $ 1.28 |
| Cardene sr 30 mg capsule sa | $ 1.21 |
| Cardene sr 30 mg capsule | $ 0.87 |
| Cardene 20 mg capsule | $ 0.80 |
| NiCARdipine HCl 30 mg capsule | $ 0.68 |
See 188 substitutes for Loxen | |
References
- PubChem. "nicardipine". https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/com... (accessed September 17, 2018).
- DrugBank. "nicardipine". http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00622 (accessed September 17, 2018).
- MeSH. "Vasodilator Agents". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68... (accessed September 17, 2018).
Reviews
The results of a survey conducted on ndrugs.com for Loxen are given in detail below. The results of the survey conducted are based on the impressions and views of the website users and consumers taking Loxen. We implore you to kindly base your medical condition or therapeutic choices on the result or test conducted by a physician or licensed medical practitioners.User reports
4 consumers reported useful
Was the Loxen drug useful in terms of decreasing the symptom or the disease?According to the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, the below mentioned percentages of users say the drug is useful / not useful to them in decreasing their symptoms/disease. The usefulness of the drug depends on many factors, like severity of the disease, perception of symptom, or disease by the patient, brand name used [matters only to a certain extent], other associated conditions of the patient. If the drug is not effective or useful in your case, you need to meet the doctor to get re-evaluated about your symptoms/disease, and he will prescribe an alternative drug.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Not useful | 2 | 50.0% | |
| Useful | 2 | 50.0% | |
Consumer reported price estimates
No survey data has been collected yet3 consumers reported time for results
To what extent do I have to use Loxen before I begin to see changes in my health conditions?As part of the reports released by ndrugs.com website users, it takes 2 days and a few days before you notice an improvement in your health conditions.
Please note, it doesn't mean you will start to notice such health improvement in the same time frame as other users. There are many factors to consider, and we implore you to visit your doctor to know how long before you can see improvements in your health while taking Loxen. To get the time effectiveness of using Loxen drug by other patients, please click here.
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 days | 2 | 66.7% | |
| 1 day | 1 | 33.3% | |
13 consumers reported age
| Users | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| > 60 | 7 | 53.8% | |
| 46-60 | 3 | 23.1% | |
| 30-45 | 2 | 15.4% | |
| 16-29 | 1 | 7.7% | |
Consumer reviews
There are no reviews yet. Be the first to write one! |
Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology
