amisulpride at a glance
Medicine class
Antipsychotic; selective dopamine D2 and D3 receptor antagonist
Licensed use
Acute and chronic schizophrenia with positive or negative symptoms
Available forms
Tablets and oral solutions are represented by the selected products
Driving
Sleepiness and blurred vision can impair driving or use of machinery
What is amisulpride used for?
The selected UK products are licensed for:
Acute and chronic schizophrenia where hallucinations, delusions, disturbed thinking or other positive symptoms are prominent.
Schizophrenia with negative symptoms such as reduced emotional expression and social withdrawal, including predominantly negative symptoms.
How does amisulpride work?
Amisulpride binds selectively to dopamine D2 and D3 receptors. Its actions at dopamine receptors in different parts of the brain are thought to reduce both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
amisulpride preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 100 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg
How to take amisulpride
Take amisulpride exactly as prescribed and do not change it yourself.
Swallow the selected tablets whole or halved with enough liquid; they may be taken with or without food.
Measure oral solution using the syringe supplied with that product.
Take oral solution with a non-alcoholic drink and clean the syringe after use.
Follow the product label for storage and the after-opening discard date.
amisulpride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Shaking, stiffness, slowed movement, restlessness or increased saliva
- Sleepiness, insomnia, anxiety or agitation
- Constipation, nausea, vomiting or dry mouth
- Weight gain
- Raised prolactin causing menstrual changes, breast symptoms or sexual difficulties
- Dizziness or low blood pressure
- Blurred vision
Get urgent medical advice
- High temperature, severe stiffness and altered consciousness: possible neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Palpitations, fainting, chest pain or an unusually fast heartbeat: possible serious rhythm disturbance
- Seizure
- Facial or throat swelling, or breathing difficulty: possible severe allergy
- Painful swollen leg, chest pain or breathlessness: possible blood clot
- Fever, recurrent infection, severe sore throat or mouth ulcers: possible blood-cell disorder
- Yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain or persistent nausea: possible liver injury
- Persistent involuntary face or tongue movements
amisulpride in pregnancy
Pregnancy data are limited, so the selected product information does not generally recommend amisulpride unless the expected benefit justifies the potential risk. Exposure near delivery may cause movement, feeding, breathing or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, requiring observation. Do not stop amisulpride without discussing it with the prescriber or perinatal mental-health team.
amisulpride while breastfeeding
Amisulpride can pass into breast milk in clinically important amounts, and evidence about effects on infants is insufficient. The selected products differ slightly in wording, but breastfeeding and treatment require an individual specialist assessment rather than an unplanned change to either.
amisulpride interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Levodopa and other dopamine agonists
Their effects can oppose those of amisulpride; levodopa is contraindicated with the selected products.
QT-prolonging medicines
Medicines including certain antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, antibiotics, antipsychotics, methadone, domperidone and hydroxyzine can increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms; some combinations are contraindicated.
Common questions about amisulpride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What schizophrenia symptoms can amisulpride help?
It is licensed for positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions and disturbed thinking, and negative symptoms such as reduced emotion and social withdrawal.
Can amisulpride be taken with food?
The selected tablet may be taken independently of meals. Administration wording differs between products, so follow the label supplied with your formulation.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.