Sulpiride

effect

Sulpiride is an active ingredient from the benzamide group. It is one of the so-called atypical neuroleptics, but also has an antidepressant effect.
Sulpiride mainly has a stimulating effect on certain dopamine receptors in the brain (D2 and D3 receptors). In low doses, sulpiride has a drive-enhancing and mood-enhancing effect.
In higher doses (from approx 300-600mg / day) it also has an antipsychotic effect.

application areas

The medicine sulpiride is used to treat depressions and schizophrenia used. It is considered a reserve drug when others Antidepressants could not achieve the desired effect.
It is also used for the therapy of Meniere's disease authorized. This is a clinical picture with severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting, which is caused by damage to the Inner ear occurrence.

dosage

The medicine is available in different dosages. The intake should be with sufficient fluids and if possible not after 4 p.m., otherwise increased sleep disorders may occur. It can also be taken independently of meals.
The individual dose is determined by the attending physician and should be checked for accuracy at regular intervals and adjusted as required. The usual maintenance dose for adults is included three times a day 50-100mg Sulpiride.

Contraindications

Sulpiride is allowed Not be applied at Parkinson's Diseases, manic psychosis, Epilepsies or other types of convulsions, as well Alzheimer's dementia. Because the stimulation of the dopamine receptors leads to an increased release of the hormone Prolactin may occur, sulpiride must not be used in patients who are already elevated anyway Prolactin levels have in the blood (Hyperprolactinemia).
Hence it is also used in malignant diseases such as certain Tumor entitieswho are sensitive to the hormone prolactin, therapy with sulpiride is not recommended.
Even with intolerance to an ingredient contained in sulpiride or acute symptoms of poisoning with painkillers (Opioids), Alcohol or sleeping pills, the drug must not be used.

For certain patients, therapy with sulpiride is not fundamental contraindicatedHowever, the prescription of the drug should only be carried out after thorough Examination by the attending physician respectively. This applies to patients with too high or too low Blood pressure (Hyper- or hypotension), heart failure, Angina pectoris, severe liver and kidney dysfunction as well as for young women with menstrual irregularities. Particular caution is also required in patients with enlarged prostate, increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma), tendency to thrombosis or narrowing of the stomach gate (pyloric stenosis).

Side effects

Various side effects can occur during treatment with sulpiride. The most common side effects are dizziness, a headache, Dry mouth or excessive Saliva production, Sweats, Racing heart and Gastrointestinal complaints (Nausea, vomiting, constipation).
Less often, sleep disorders, changes in blood pressure, visual disturbances, increased appetite, increased prolactin levels with milk leakage from the breast, sexual dysfunction, Parkinson's-like symptoms (stiffness, shakiness, sedentary lifestyle) and concentration disorders can occur.

With long-term use of the drug, it occurs more often, especially in older women Nerve damagewhich manifests itself in tremors, difficulty moving and twitching.

Use in children and adolescents

Sulpiride should not be given to children under six years of age. In older children, the drug is reserved for the treatment of schizophrenia and the dose is individually adapted to the child in question.

Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Sulpiride must not be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Children whose mothers took the medicine during pregnancy suffer after childbirth Withdrawal symptoms and Difficulty moving, such as Shortness of breath. In such a case, close medical supervision is necessary.

Interactions

If sulpiride is taken at the same time as other drugs, there may be undesirable interactions between the various substances.
This can happen if you take the drug at the same time Levodopa (Parkinson's medication) to weaken the two medications. Therefore, sulpiride must not be taken at the same time as levodopa.
In contrast, the effect of sulpiride increases with the simultaneous use of sleeping pills, anxiety relievers, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, strong painkillers (MorphineDerivatives) and Antihistamines.
When taking Antihypertensive (Antihypertensive drugs) sulpiride can lead to both dangerously high blood pressure peaks and an extreme drop in blood pressure. Drugs that affect cardiac activity along with sulpiride can be serious Cardiac arrhythmias lead and are therefore not to be taken in this combination.
Women who die Birth control pills take, develop more side effects during sulpiride therapy. A pregnancy test can be false positive.

When taking Antacids (Medicines that reduce gastric acid production) the absorption of sulpiride into the body is reduced. This leads to a weakening of the effect. The two drugs should therefore be spaced apart by at least two hours be taken. On alcohol should be avoided during therapy with sulpiride.

Driving ability under sulpiride

Sulpiride can impair your ability to react. This is especially true in connection with alcohol consumption. Participation in Road traffic, as well as that Operate machineswhich requires a high level of concentration should therefore only be done with extreme caution.