Levosulpiride
About Levosulpiride
Levosulpiride belongs to a group of medicines called 'prokinetics, psycholeptic and antipsychotics' used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia (indigestion). Additionally, Levosulpiride is also used to treat psychotic disorders like somatic symptom disorders and chronic schizophrenia with negative symptoms.
Levosulpiride contains 'Levosulpiride' which increases the pressure of the inferior oesophagal (food pipe) sphincter, thereby preventing the backflow of food and acid from the stomach into the mouth. Levosulpiride increases gastrointestinal motility without disrupting their rhythm, thereby helps in treating indigestion. Levosulpiride works by blocking the effects of chemical receptors in the brain such as dopamine, thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
You are advised to take Levosulpiride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, weakness, and vertigo (spinning sensation). Most of these side-effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side-effects persistently.
Do not take Levosulpiride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Levosulpiride may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Levosulpiride is not recommended for children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Levosulpiride as it could lead to unpleasant side-effects. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects/interactions.
Uses of Levosulpiride
Medicinal Benefits
Levosulpiride belongs to a group of medicines called 'prokinetics, psycholeptic and antipsychotics' used to treat gastro-oesophagal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia (indigestion). Levosulpiride increases the pressure of the inferior oesophagal sphincter, thereby preventing the backflow of food and acid from the stomach into the mouth. This helps in treating gastro-oesophagal acid reflux (GERD). Levosulpiride increases gastrointestinal motility by enhancing the strength of contractions without disrupting their rhythm, thereby helps in treating indigestion. Additionally, Levosulpiride is also used to treat somatic symptom disorders and chronic schizophrenia with negative symptoms. Levosulpiride works by blocking the effects of chemical receptors in the brain such as dopamine, thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levosulpiride
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Vertigo (spinning sensation)
Drug Warnings
Do not take Levosulpiride if you are allergic to any of its contents; if you have mania, epilepsy, high blood pressure, or breast cancer. Talk to your doctor before taking Levosulpiride if you have/had gastrointestinal bleeding, blockage/perforations, dementia, heart problems, blood clot problems, or if you are treated with other neuroleptic medicines. Do not take Levosulpiride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Levosulpiride may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Levosulpiride is not recommended for children as safety has not been established. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side-effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Levosulpiride may interact with pain killers, anticholinergic drugs, medicines that prolong the QT interval, medicines that cause electrolyte disturbances, narcotics, and aluminium and magnesium-containing antacids (aluminium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have gastrointestinal bleeding, blockage or perforation, mania, heart problems, high blood pressure, breast cancer, and blood clot problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Levosulpiride to prevent unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeAvoid taking Levosulpiride if you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Levosulpiride. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionLevosulpiride may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Levosulpiride if you have a liver impairment or liver problems.
Kidney
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Levosulpiride if you have kidney impairment or kidney problems.
Children
unsafeLevosulpiride is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Acidity & Indigestion:
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
- Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercising.
- Avoid lying down immediately after eating.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
- Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercising.
- Practise relaxation techniques and avoid stress by doing yoga or meditation.
- Avoid foods such as high-fat food, spicy food, chocolates, citrus fruits, pineapple, tomato, onion, garlic, tea and soda.
- Avoid sitting continuously as it may trigger acidity. Take a break of 5 minutes every hour by doing brisk walking or stretching.
Mood disorder & Schizophrenia:
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach is usually protected from the acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets eroded, which leads to complications like acidity, GERD, etc. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn.
Irritable bowel syndrome: It is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Symptoms include cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhoea.
Dyspepsia (indigestion): It is the feeling of fullness. It occurs due to slow gastric emptying. Symptoms include stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
Somatic symptom disorder: It is a form of mental illness in which a person feels extreme anxiety about physical symptoms. This results in major distress and/or functioning problems.
Schizophrenia: It is a condition in which the person may see, hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, or feel unusually suspicious or confused. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganised thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc.
FAQs
Levosulpiride increases the pressure of the inferior oesophageal sphincter, thereby preventing the backflow of food and acid from the stomach into the mouth. This helps in treating gastro-oesophageal acid reflux.
Levosulpiride increases gastrointestinal motility by enhancing the strength of contractions without disrupting their rhythm, thereby helps in treating indigestion.
Do not discontinue Levosulpiride without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Levosulpiride for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Levosulpiride.
Levosulpiride may cause weight gain due to increased appetite. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
To prevent acidity, avoid lying down immediately after meals. Raise the head of the bed 10-20cm by putting on a pillow so that the head and chest are above the waist. This prevents acid reflux.
Levosulpiride works by blocking the effects of chemical receptors in the brain such as dopamine, thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
