Publication

Abstract : Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic which act as a D2/D3 receptor antagonist. The efficacy of amisulpride is superior to many conventional antipsychotics and is similar to olanzapine and risperidone. Amisulpride shows linear pharmacokinetics, and is 48% bioavailable. It has got a low protein binding capacity (17%) and an elimination half-life of approximately 12 hrs. It is eliminated through urine as the parent compound. It is also reported that amisulpride has got antidepressant action mediated through 5HT-2A receptors. The adverse events encountered with amisulpride are Extra pyramidal disorders, Insomnia, Hyperkinesias, Anxiety, Weight gain, agitation, headache, psychosis, constipation, amenorrhea, non-puerperal galactorrhoea (female only), somnolence, dyskinesia, hypertonia, vomiting, rhinitis, fatigue and impotence (male only). Amisulpride use is associated with hyperprolactinemia in many patients. Here we report a case of dyspnoea induced by amisulpride in a non asthmatic female patient with paranoid schizophrenia. Dyspnoea is rarely seen or reported as a side effect of amisulpride therapy and thus the mechanism of adverse reaction is not very well understood. The postulated causes shows that amisulpride induced dyspnoea in females are associated with hyperprolactinemia.