Amisulpride from the standpoint of efficacy and safety

The article presents the results of clinical studies of amisulpride use in schizophrenia. The aim of the work is to analyze the use of amisulpride in various forms of schizophrenia from the standpoint of efficacy and safety of use based on the results of clinical studies published in the scientific literature. Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic with a unique receptor profile and a number of unusual pharmacological properties from other known atypical antipsychotics (in particular, it is a partial 5HT4-agonist, a partial GHB receptor agonist, a potent 5HT7-receptor antagonist). It has antidepressant, anxiolytic, analgesic and antiemetic activity, has a low probability of extrapyramidal adverse events and is highly effective in eliminating negative symptoms, cognitive and depressive disorders in schizophrenia and other psychoses. There is evidence of the effectiveness of amisulpride in relation to aggression, hostility, anxiety symptoms often observed in acute exacerbation of schizophrenic psychosis, as well as in affective disorders (major depressive episode, dysthymia, mania). Amisulpride has also demonstrated effectiveness in resistance to other antipsychotics. When used in combination with clozapine, it not only enhances the antipsychotic effect of clozapine, but also reduces hypersalivation caused by clozapine. According to the results of the presented clinical studies, the administration of amisulpride has a positive effect on both the positive symptoms and the negative manifestations of schizophrenia. The safety profile of amisulpride is unique in comparison with both classical and atypical antipsychotics. The low degree of biotransformation, the absence of active metabolites and predominant renal excretion make it possible to prescribe the drug even to patients with impaired liver function and elderly patients. Amisulpride does not interact with any medications, which is also a big advantage of the drug. A number of studies report that when taking amisulpride at a dose of up to 800 mg, extrapyramidal disorders are practically not recorded. Unlike most atypical antipsychotics, amisulpride has minimal ability to cause weight gain.