Clinical advantages of amisulpride in the treatment of acute schizophrenia.

Journal article

Five studies have been conducted with the atypical anti-psychotic amisulpride (100-1200 mg/day) involving 1358 patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia; four studies were short-term (4-8 weeks), double-blind studies and one was a 12-month, open, randomized comparison. Amisulpride improved positive symptoms consistently, and changes were more pronounced than with haloperidol, flupenthixol and risperidone; amisulpride showed a more rapid onset of action compared to haloperidol, and improvement in negative symptoms was more effective than with any comparator. An optimum response was obtained with amisulpride doses 400-800 mg/day. The long-term study confirmed the usefulness of amisulpride for maintenance treatment in schizophrenia, with a clear advantage over haloperidol, leading to better functioning and quality of life. Amisulpride caused fewer neurological side-effects than conventional anti-psychotics and less weight gain than risperidone, both of which are crucial factors for long-term compliance.

Authors: Burns, T; Bale, R

• Journal: Journal of international medical research
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 451-466
• Publication date: 2001-01-01
• DOI: 10.1177/147323000102900601
• EISSN: 1473-2300
• ISSN: 0300-0605
• Language: English
• Keywords: Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Treatment Outcome; Double-Blind Method; Adolescent; Schizophrenia; Aged; Humans; Adult; Female; Male; Antipsychotic Agents; Acute Disease; Sulpiride; Middle Aged