Influence of loxapine on the sleep-wakefulness cycle of the rat

Abstract

The sleep-wakefulness cycle was studied in 18 Wistar albino rats under the influence of Loxapine, a neuroleptic derived from oxazepine succinate. One single dose of the drug (0.4-1.6 mg/kg) had a marked effect in depressing the paradoxical sleep (PS), maximal within 30 min and lasting about 24 hr. Frequency and mean duration of PS episodes were differentially affected. Synchronized sleep was only slightly affected by Loxapine whereas no significant changes of wakefulness amount were detected. Chronic administration of the drug induced similar changes which disappeared in about 5 days. © 1974.