[Inhalative loxapine: old tried and trusted medication with new indications]

Inhalative loxapine which will come onto the market shortly, is an important new alternative medication for the treatment of agitation, restlessness and tension in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The possibility of inhaled administration provides an advantage for patients and staff in certain acute situations. In patients with obstructive lung diseases there is a danger concerning bronchospasms. The resulting safety regulations limit the easy and broad usage of inhaled loxapine slightly but these can be easily realized within hospitals. In view of the rapid onset antiagitation effect and the easy handling of inhaled loxapine, this might be a rather minor problem.