Amisulpride - a New Benzamide Antipsychotic of the Second Generation

Overview

The article reviews data about amisulpride, a new benzamide antipsychotic of the second genera-tion. Amisulpride is pharmacologically characterized by 1. selective high affinity to D2 and D3receptors, 2. higher binding activity to D3 /D2 in the limbic system in relation to striatal receptors,3. double dopamine blockade, e.g. in low doses a preferential blockade of presynaptic D3 /D2 , inhigher doses postsynaptic dopamine receptors. In doses of 50-300 mg it was significantly moresuccessful than placebo in schizophrenics with deficiency syndrome. Positive symptoms impro-ved minimally to the same degree with amisulprid as with haloperidol, flupenthixol and risperi-done. The safety profile of amisulpride is similar to that of risperidone, especially as toextrapyramidal and endocrinological side effects, and better than the safety profile of typicalantipsychotics.

Key words:
amisulpride, antipsychotics of the second generation, pharmacological profile, defici-ency schizophrenia, side-effects.