hi. "Antipsychotics" are really just tranquilizers. The old term is neuroleptic--to seize the neurons--because of the effect high(ish) doses of the older drugs have on people. Not fun.

Low doses of loxapine would be cheaper than a low dose of a newer, "atypical" drug. That's one plus, I guess. The other thing is that tranquilizers/neuroleptics in low doses can be sedating, help anxiety, reduce agitation, etc. Sometimes, doctors will use a low dose neuroleptic with an antidepressant until you're adjusted to the antidepressant, or the new dose of antidepressant.

I dunno. If you have the $$$ and inclination, I'd personally see about a different psychiatrist. Thing is, the standard anti-anxiety drugs are the benzodiazepines. They're sedatives, controlled substances (Schedule IV--you can get refills). The problem is that now there's more pressure on doctors to avoid the benzodiazepines, which is both good and bad. It might be good because being dependent on benzodiazepines is rough and tapering can be hell on earth. It might be bad because many doctors resort to neuroleptics, antihistamines, etc. instead of benzodiazepines, and those drugs can also cause problems.

Did you look up the dose your doctor prescribed? I don't want to sound crazy, but some doctors pretty much just shut their patients up, if you don't watch them. I don't know what that's about, honestly. Low doses of loxapine have been used for anxiety now and then, probably more in the 70s, before all the lawsuits about using neuroleptics for non-psychotic problems.

Sorry about all this. I don't think this sounds like the craziest medication maneuver ever, but I wouldn't go for it, personally.