Amisulpride
About
Amisulpride belongs to a group of medicines called 'antipsychotics' primarily used to treat long term (chronic) schizophrenia and postoperative nausea/vomiting. Schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations symptoms (seeing or hearing things that are not real) and delusions (wrong beliefs). In schizophrenic disorders, there are positive symptoms (like delusions, hallucinations and thought disorders) along with negative symptoms (like blunted effect, emotional and social withdrawal). Nausea is an uneasy feeling in which the person feels an urge to vomit, whereas vomiting is an uncontrollable reflex that expels the stomach's contents through the mouth.
Amisulpride contains Amisulpride, which helps restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain. The key action of Amisulpride is to block some of the dopamine receptors in the brain and correct dopamine's overactivity. On the other hand, it also affects other brain neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-HT), which may also lead to its beneficial effects. Amisulpride also stops the sensation of vomiting/nausea by blocking the D2 receptors located in the chemoreceptor trigger zone - CTZ of the brain responsible for inducing vomiting.
Amisulpride can be taken with or without food as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Amisulpride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain side effects such as dryness in the mouth, constipation, weight gain, decreased blood pressure, dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions), akathisia (inability to stay still), parkinsonism, increased prolactin level in blood. Most of these side effects of Amisulpride do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist for a longer duration, consult your doctor immediately.
Amisulpride should be avoided if you are allergic to it or any other medicines. Amisulpride is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Amisulpride. Use Amisulpride with extreme caution in elderly patients above 65 years of age as there is an increased risk of severe adverse effects. If you have breast cancer, pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland), pituitary gland prolactinoma (tumor of the pituitary gland), fits, Parkinson’s disease, kidney or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Amisulpride. Avoid driving and op taking Amisulpride as it may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Uses of Amisulpride
Medicinal Benefits
Amisulpride contains Amisulpride, a group of medicines called antipsychotics used to treat a mental illness called schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Additionally, Amisulpride has anti-emetics properties used either monotherapy or in combination with other antiemetic drugs to prevent nausea and vomiting, which might occur after surgery. The key action of Amisulpride is to block some of the brain's dopamine receptors and correct dopamine's overactivity, thereby producing a calming effect in the brain. Altogether, Amisulpride may help decrease hallucinations and help you think more clearly and positively about yourself, feel less agitated and take a more active part in everyday life.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amisulpride
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or feeling anxious or agitated
- Lightheadedness
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Decreased blood pressure
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions)
- Akathisia (inability to stay still)
- Parkinsonism
- Breast enlargement in men
- Unusual production of breast milk in women and men, breast pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Amisulpride if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to amisulpride or any other ingredients present in this medicine or have a medical history of prolactin-dependent tumor or breast cancer, phaeochromocytoma (a tumor on the adrenal gland), pituitary tumor.
- Amisulpride should not be given to children as safety has not been established.
- Use Amisulpride with extreme caution in elderly patients above 65 years of age as there is an increased risk of severe adverse effects.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a doctor before taking Amisulpride. Amisulpride may impair fertility, so inform your doctor if you are planning for pregnancy.
- Inform your doctor if you are previously diagnosed with kidney disease, liver disease epilepsy or seizures (fits), Parkinson's disease, unusual heart rate (rhythm), slow heartbeat (less than 55 beats per minute), low potassium levels in your blood, prolonged QT interval (heart conduction problem), if you or someone else in your family has a history of blood clots, heart problems, stroke, diabetes, have a low number of white blood cells (agranulocytosis), leucopenia (blood disorder).
- Amisulpride may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Amisulpride as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Amisulpride may have interaction with medicines used to reduce heart rate (quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol) medicines for high blood pressure and heart problems (diltiazem, verapamil, guanfacine, digitalis, clonidine, bepridil) pain killers (morphine, pethidine, tramadol, indomethacin, aspirin, acetaminophen, hydrocodone) antimalarial (mefloquine), anti-histamines (promethazine, diphenhydramine), medicine used to treat schizophrenia (clozapine), neuroleptics (pimozide, haloperidol, imipramine, duloxetine, citalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine), anti-anxiety drugs (lorazepam and diazepam), antipsychotics (flupentixol, droperidol, haloperidol, fluphenazine, pipamperone), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin), antiparkinson (levodopa, ropinirole, bromocriptine).
Drug- Food Interaction: Amisulpride may interact with grapefruit juice and alcohol. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit juice and alcohol with Amisulpride as it may increase the risk of adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have breast cancer, pheochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal gland), pituitary gland prolactinoma (tumour of the pituitary gland), fits, Parkinson’s disease, kidney or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Amisulpride.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Amisulpride as it may lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionAmisulpride should be used in pregnant women only when prescribed by a doctor. Consult your doctor before taking Amisulpride if you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAmisulpride is unsafe and should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers. Consult your doctor for further advice.
Driving
cautionAmisulpride may cause dizziness, drowsiness and uncontrolled movements. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionTake Amisulpride with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. However, Amisulpride is not recommended for patients with severe liver disease. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or yellow discoloration of the eyes or skin.
Kidney
cautionAmisulpride should be used in patients with kidney diseases only when prescribed by a doctor. Dose adjustments and regular monitoring of electrolytes may be required as it may alter electrolyte levels in the body.
Children
unsafeAmisulpride should not be given to children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Mental illness:
- Monitor your mood. Keep track of your mood regularly, including factors such as sleep, medicine and activities that can impact your mood.
- Exercise daily. Exercise is nice to relieve tension. It can also avoid the weight gain that can be a side effect of your bipolar medication.
- You may also practice calming techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises.
- Get some normal sleep. Having enough sleep will help to stabilize your mood.
- Eat a healthy diet. Certain foods may affect your mood more than others. Consider keeping a food log to track what you eat and how certain foods make you feel. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about foods that may help stabilize your mood.
- Stay optimistic. It will take time for your symptoms to improve after you start bipolar therapy, but you will feel relaxed knowing that you will get better and that the worst is most definitely behind you.
Nausea/Vomiting:
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Drink fluids to stay hydrated. Use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) to replace lost electrolytes.
- Avoid solid foods until vomiting stops.
- Avoid foods that might cause stomach upset.
- Take ample rest. Avoid any activity immediately after eating.
- Consume plain, light foods such as bread and biscuits.
- Avoid food with strong flavours and fried food.
- Ginger tea might help in proper digestion.
Special Advise
- Amisulpride is not recommended for use in the children below 18 years of age.
- Amisulpride should be used with caution in the older patient (above 65 years) and Parkinson's patient.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia (psychosis): It is a mental illness in which brain information processing is affected. Patients with schizophrenia develop symptoms such as hallucinations (see or hear unreal things), delusions (false beliefs) and become withdrawn from society. They lose the ability to differentiate reality from false beliefs Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may occur due to genetic factors, alcohol or drug abuse, mental trauma. Schizophrenia may also occur due to traumatic brain injuries or other diseases.
Bipolar disorder: Patients with bipolar disorders have mood swings ranging from manic episodes of heightened excitement to severe depression. It used to be known as manic depression.
Nausea/Vomiting: It is an uneasy feeling in which the person feels an urge to vomit, whereas vomiting is an uncontrollable reflex that expels the stomach's contents through the mouth. Nausea and vomiting may occur separately or together. The common causes include motion sickness, emotional stress, indigestion, food poisoning, high fever or overeating. Nausea/vomiting might occur as an unpleasant effect of therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is essential to control vomiting and nausea in cancer patients for performing everyday activities of the day. If not controlled, it can lead to mental changes, loss of appetite, malnutrition and dehydration.
FAQs
Amisulpride contains Amisulpride, which works by modulating certain chemical messengers (dopamine D2) in the brain, which helps regulate mood, behavior, nausea and vomiting.
Amisulpride can be used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression. However, you should not take this medication without a doctor’s advice.
Amisulpride may affect fertility as it may cause hyperprolactinemia (excessive levels of prolactin hormone in the blood) resulting in amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods), anovulation (lack of egg release) and impaired fertility.
You are not recommended to stop taking Amisulpride without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Amisulpride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it, and if you experience any difficulty while taking Amisulpride, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
Amisulpride is not recommended for dementia (loss of memory or other mental abilities) patients especially in elderly people as it may cause severe adverse effects including stroke. Therefore, it is advised to inform your doctor if you have dementia or history of stroke before taking Amisulpride.
Stopping Amisulpride abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms and stopping it too early could make your illness come back. Please consult your doctor if you want to stop taking Amisulpride.
Take Amisulpride with caution in patients with diabetes as it may increase the risk of having diabetes. It is advised to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly while taking Amisulpride.
