How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient amisulpride, which is a type of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic. It works in the brain, where it affects a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter known to be involved in regulating mood and behaviour, amongst other things. Schizophrenia is associated with an overactivity of dopamine in the brain, and this may be associated with the delusions and hallucinations that are a feature of this disease. Amisulpride works by blocking the receptors in the brain that dopamine acts on. This prevents the excessive activity of dopamine and helps to control psychotic illness. Schizophrenic patients may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, disturbances of thought, and hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social isolation). Amisulpride has been shown to be effective for relieving both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas the conventional antipsychotics are usually less effective against the negative symptoms. Amisulpride is also used by specialists to treat episodes of mania in people with the psychiatric illness, bipolar affective disorder (manic depression), though this is an unlicensed use of the medicine.

What is it used for?

Schizophrenia

Treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar affective disorder (unlicensed use)

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking this medicine. These symptoms may be indicative of a rare side effect known as tardive dyskinesia, and your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine, or decrease your dose.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.

Use with caution in

Abnormal rhythm of the heart beat

Decreased kidney function

Elderly people

History of epilepsy

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Parkinson's disease

Slow heart rate of less than 55 beats per minute (bradycardia)

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Children less than 15 years of age

Pregnancy

Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

Tumours which grow rapidly in the presence of the hormone prolactin, eg tumours of the pituitary gland, breast cancer

Women of child-bearing potential, unless effective contraception is used to prevent pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should not be taken by women who are pregnant, and women of child-bearing age who take this medicine should use effective contraception. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk. Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

Go To Next Page>>
The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved