Aride-50

Indications

Amisulpride tablets are used to treat schizophrenia, including both sudden (acute) episodes and long-term illness, helping with symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, lack of motivation and social withdrawal. A low-dose injection form is used in hospitals to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery.

How It Works

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic. It blocks dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the brain. At higher doses this reduces the overactive dopamine signalling linked to psychotic symptoms; at low doses it can improve negative symptoms. In the brain's vomiting centre, blocking dopamine reduces nausea and vomiting.

Dosage and Administration

Tablets: take exactly as prescribed by your psychiatrist. The dose depends on the type of symptoms and is adjusted gradually; do not change or stop it without advice, as symptoms may return. Doses above 300 mg are usually split into two doses a day. Injection: given into a vein by a doctor or nurse around the time of surgery. Lower doses are needed in kidney impairment.

Interactions

• Medicines that prolong the QT interval or slow the heart (such as some antiarrhythmics, Haloperidol, Citalopram, Erythromycin, Moxifloxacin, Methadone) increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythms.
• Medicines that lower potassium or magnesium (some diuretics, laxatives) add to this risk.
• It works against Levodopa and other dopamine agonists.
• Alcohol, sedatives and Opioids increase drowsiness.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Amisulpride.
• Prolactin-dependent tumours (such as prolactinoma or some breast cancers) and phaeochromocytoma.
• Use with Levodopa.
• Children before puberty (tablets).

Side Effects

Common side effects include sleeplessness, anxiety, agitation, drowsiness, tremor, stiffness or restlessness (movement side effects), weight gain, constipation, and raised prolactin, which can cause breast swelling, milk discharge, missed periods or sexual problems.

Get urgent medical help if you have fainting, palpitations or a very fast or irregular heartbeat, high fever with muscle stiffness and confusion (neuroleptic malignant syndrome), uncontrollable movements of the face or tongue, signs of a blood clot, a fit, or signs of infection with a sore throat (low white cells).

Pregnancy and Lactation

Use in pregnancy only if your doctor decides it is necessary; use late in pregnancy can cause movement or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. It passes into breast milk, and breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.

Precautions and Warnings

• An ECG and blood salts may be checked before and during treatment.
• Older people with dementia have a higher risk of stroke and death with antipsychotics.
• Use with care in kidney disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and heart disease.
• It may cause drowsiness; do not drive if affected, and avoid alcohol.

Overdose

Overdose can cause severe drowsiness, low blood pressure, stiffness and abnormal movements, dangerous heart rhythm changes and coma. Seek emergency medical help immediately.

Therapeutic Class

Atypical antipsychotic (benzamide), dopamine D2 and D3 antagonist; also an antiemetic (injection).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Injection: store as directed on the pack.