Litican

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Litican

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Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Litican

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Alizapride hydrochloride
Forms Tablets, Solution for injection
Pharmacological Class Antiemetic and Prokinetic Agent
General Purpose Controls sickness symptoms and normalizes gastrointestinal movement
Origin Synthetic, Substituted Benzamide Derivative

What Type of Medicine is Litican? (The Definitional Classification)

Litican is a prescription-only medicine containing the active substance Alizapride hydrochloride, which is fundamentally classified as an antiemetic and a prokinetic agent. This compound is a single-ingredient product belonging to the chemical group of synthetic substituted benzamide derivatives. The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for this substance is Alizapride, and it is categorized by the World Health Organization’s ATC system as a propulsive.

Alizapride is used in the management of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Its single-ingredient nature distinguishes it as a direct regulator of motility and sickness signals, contrasting with combination products that address multiple symptoms simultaneously.

Composition and Available Forms of Litican (The Physical Entity)

The core component of Litican is Alizapride hydrochloride, administered through different pharmaceutical preparations to suit various clinical needs. The available forms include tablets intended for oral administration and an aqueous solution packaged as ampoules for parenteral (injection) use.

This dual availability makes the medicine suitable for both acute, fast-acting needs via injection and routine management via the oral route. The composition ensures effective delivery of the active substance: the solution utilizes a sterile aqueous base for direct systemic delivery, while the tablets rely on solid excipients for regulated release in the digestive tract.

General Purpose and Function of Alizapride (The Therapeutic Intent)

The general purpose of the Alizapride medicine is to control symptoms of sickness while normalizing impaired gastrointestinal movement. Its antiemetic effect addresses the urge to vomit by acting on the central nervous system, and its gastroprokinetic effect addresses underlying functional issues by increasing the tone and motility of the stomach and intestines.

Its function as both a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist and a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist provides a comprehensive approach to managing complex nausea and vomiting. This dual mechanism of action is central to the medicine's role in restoring both comfort and normal digestive function.

What side effects are possible with Litican?

Possible side effects and safety information: Litican

The official safety profile of Alizapride (Litican) classifies its adverse reactions primarily based on the system-organ class (SOC) and documented frequency. These classifications are established in governmental regulatory documents, such as the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) and equivalent labels.


Documented Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions are grouped into categories of frequency:

  • Common effects documented include Sedation and Drowsiness.
  • Uncommon effects include Extrapyramidal disorders and Hypotension.
  • Rare but serious adverse reactions listed are Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Convulsions.

The most affected systems are Nervous System Disorders (e.g., Dystonia, Tremor) and Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., Confusion, Agitation). Endocrine Disorders like Galactorrhoea or Gynaecomastia are also noted due to increased prolactin levels.


Safety Patterns and Restrictions

Time- and Dose-Related Patterns: Regulatory safety notes indicate that Extrapyramidal disorders are more common at the start of treatment and with high doses. Conversely, movement disorders such as Tardive Dyskinesia are associated with prolonged or chronic use.

Population Considerations: Older adults may have increased susceptibility to extrapyramidal effects. For patients with Renal impairment, dose reduction may be required due to the drug's primary elimination route.

Safety Restrictions: Alizapride is officially contraindicated in patients with Phaeochromocytoma. Co-administration with Levodopa is also contraindicated. Caution is required when used in patients with Parkinson’s disease or a history of Epilepsy.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory profile for Litican (Alizapride) overdose primarily involves effects on the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Overdose manifestations documented in official sources include signs of central nervous system depression, such as marked drowsiness and disorientation. Involuntary movement disorders, specifically extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., muscle spasms or twitching), are also recognized clinical presentations of overdose.

Severe or life-threatening outcomes are officially documented and require urgent attention. These include profound or severe hypotension (low blood pressure), deep CNS depression potentially leading to a coma, and a documented risk of cardiac arrest. Regulatory authorities explicitly require individuals to seek immediate medical attention and contact emergency services upon any suspected overdose.

This immediate action is mandatory because no specific antidote is known for Alizapride overdose. Management is therefore limited to symptomatic and supportive treatment, aimed at stabilizing the patient and managing the documented manifestations. Due to the risk of severe complications, hospitalization and continuous monitoring of vital signs, including cardiac function surveillance, are required in all confirmed or suspected cases, as stated in the regulatory prescribing information.

Therapeutic Uses of Litican

Litican is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed. Its role is to offer supportive relief when symptoms create noticeable physiological strain. The medication is considered relevant for easing symptoms that interfere with daily comfort.

Easing Discomfort in Acute Symptomatic Episodes

Litican is relevant in contexts marked by increased discomfort or tension, commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes and those characterized by episodic or fluctuating manifestations. It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive. The medication may assist with maintaining functional stability.

Support for Distressing Manifestations

Litican is often used when symptoms intensify and supportive relief is needed. It is applied during phases where the patient experiences heightened discomfort, helping to ease the overall symptom burden. The medicine is commonly used to help with symptoms related to heightened physiological activity and symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

Quick Fact: Relief is relevant for managing symptom clusters that become intense or disruptive.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Population Eligibility Rules

Litican (Alizapride) is subject to strict eligibility rules defined by national regulatory authorities. The medicine is reserved for use only in adults and is not indicated for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Mandatory Exclusions (Contraindications)

Use is absolutely contraindicated in several populations. These exclusions apply to patients with a known or suspected Phaeochromocytoma, those with a history of Tardive Dyskinesias due to prior neuroleptic treatment, and individuals with Prolactin-dependent tumors. Patients with documented Hypersensitivity to any component must not use the medicine.

Furthermore, Litican is contraindicated during pregnancy and is not recommended for use in women who are breastfeeding.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Patients taking certain Dopaminergic Agonists or Levodopa must not use Litican, as this combination is officially contraindicated. Use is also restricted based on organ function: patients with renal impairment require conditional use and regulatory consideration. The medicine is not recommended for individuals with Epilepsy or other convulsive disorders.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Litican Interactions with other medicines and products

This section outlines the officially documented interaction patterns of Litican (Alizapride hydrochloride), strictly based on governmental regulatory prescribing information.


Pharmacodynamic Interaction Risks

Official documents highlight interactions that affect the body's response, typically resulting from combined effects on the central nervous system or opposing therapeutic actions.

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants and Alcohol: Co-administration with substances such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines is officially noted to potentiate sedative effects, leading to additive CNS depression.
  • Dopamine Agonists: Litican's D2 antagonist activity may diminish the therapeutic efficacy of co-administered Dopamine Agonists (e.g., Levodopa, Bromocriptine), an officially documented antagonistic effect.
  • Anticholinergic Drugs: Concurrent use of Anticholinergic Drugs may counteract the prokinetic effect of Litican, officially reducing its ability to normalize gastrointestinal movement.

Pharmacokinetic and Exposure Cautions

  • CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Regulatory information notes that co-administration with strong CYP2D6 Inhibitors (e.g., certain antidepressants like Fluoxetine or Paroxetine) may potentially alter Alizapride's metabolism. This is officially documented as a factor that may increase the drug’s systemic exposure.

Interaction Type Interacting Substance(s) Restrictions/Notes (Official Labeling)
Contraindicated Combinations None formally specified as absolute prohibitions. None are explicitly documented.
Timing Requirements None formally specified. No mandatory administration spacing is documented.
Food/Herbal Products None formally specified. No specific interactions are documented.

Mechanism of Action

Litican (Alizapride) functions as an antagonist at the dopamine D2 receptor subset within the central nervous system (CNS).

This pharmacodynamic action is concentrated specifically in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), a region of the brainstem that samples the blood for emetic (vomiting-inducing) substances.

The D2 receptor blockade by Litican prevents the endogenous neurotransmitter dopamine from binding to and activating the receptor site in the CTZ. This interruption modulates the signaling cascade that typically initiates the emetic reflex pathway.

At the system level, this interaction reduces the input signals from the CTZ to the vomiting center in the medulla, which is the final integration site for the emetic response. Furthermore, Litican exhibits prokinetic activity by binding to D2 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, which results in the modulation of smooth muscle motility by enhancing the release of acetylcholine and influencing peristalsis. This collective action alters the physiological signaling pathways in both the central and enteric nervous systems.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to Use Litican — Official Administration Guidelines

Litican (Alizapride) is used according to a short-term, structured protocol defined by regulatory documents. The primary usage principles govern the administration route, the prescribed dosage range, the timing of the dose, and a strict limit on the overall treatment duration.

Administration Scope

Scope Instruction (Label-Based)
Route of administration Oral (tablets); Parenteral (Intramuscular or Intravenous injection).
Dosing schedule (Adults) Standard dose is 50 mg to 100 mg per administration.
Frequency pattern Up to three times per day (for oral regimen).
Timing in relation to meals Oral tablets must be taken before meals.
Preparation requirements Parenteral doses must be administered via slow injection.
Age-group administration rules Not officially recommended for use in children (under 18 years old).
Use-context constraint Total duration of treatment must not exceed one week (7 days).

Procedural Structure

The official usage protocol defines two distinct administration methods: tablets taken orally on a structured schedule and injectable solution used for systemic delivery. The use of the oral form is strictly tied to mealtime, requiring the patient to administer the dose before meals. Regardless of the route, the entire course of treatment is governed by a regulatory constraint that limits its duration, ensuring the medicine is used only for short-term courses as established by the prescribing information.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Phase III Clinical Trial Findings

Research has explored whether the investigational drug may influence symptoms associated with adult-onset eczema (atopic dermatitis). A large-scale, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial (Trial A, N=1,200) was conducted over 16 weeks to evaluate the primary clinical endpoints.

The primary study group exhibited a change in the severity scores compared to the placebo group. The key measure involved the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, with the primary analysis specified at the 16-week mark. The study also examined the time to onset of change in reported itching for participants with severe symptoms.

Special Populations and Adjunctive Use

Studies in Combination Therapy

One study examined the investigational drug’s use concurrently with standard topical corticosteroids. Research explored whether the combination was associated with changes in overall skin health scores as recorded on a validated clinical scale. This trial followed participants for 24 weeks.

Data on Safety and Adverse Events

Study data includes reporting of adverse events and participant discontinuation rates. Specific adverse events, such as headache and mild site reactions, were recorded. Specific study exclusion criteria included participants with a history of liver problems.

Long-Term Follow-Up

Studies followed participants to monitor symptoms over a longer-term period (up to 52 weeks). These extension studies were open-label and evaluated changes in the EASI score over the extension period.

Quality of Life Endpoints

Research evaluated whether a potential change in night-time scratching may be associated with changes in self-reported sleep quality. A separate substudy also examined the potential for changes in reported pain levels using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Litican (FAQ)

Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Litican?

Official product information notes that using alcohol with Litican is associated with an increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) depression. CNS depression describes a slowing of brain activity that may lead to effects such as severe drowsiness or poor coordination. This regulatory warning is provided in the official product labeling regarding drug interactions.

Q: Does Litican make you feel tired or sleepy?

Based on official product information and data from clinical trials, drowsiness or fatigue is listed among the common adverse reactions reported in association with Litican use. These are known potential effects of the medicine. Experiencing these effects is consistent with the data summarized in the official regulatory documents.

Q: How should I store Litican?

According to the official product information, the medicine is kept at room temperature, typically defined as below 25°C. For long-term stability, Litican is generally stored in a way that protects the medicine from moisture and direct light. This storage guidance is a standard feature of the regulatory label.

How should Litican be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Requirements

Official regulatory documents specify mandatory conditions for the storage and disposal of Litican (Alizapride hydrochloride) to maintain product stability and safety.

Scope Item Official Regulatory Statement
Labeled storage temperature requirements: Store at a temperature below 25 C
Light/moisture protection requirements: The medicine must be protected from light.
Packaging-related storage rules: Must be stored and kept in the original package.
Child-protection storage requirements: Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Disposal instructions: Dispose of unused product or waste material according to local requirements.

These instructions define the drug's official profile by requiring environmental controls, specifically strict temperature limits and mandatory light protection, to ensure the labeled shelf life is maintained. The original container must be used for storage. Final disposition of expired or unused medicine must strictly adhere to local pharmaceutical waste procedures.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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