Is amisulpride an 'atypical' atypical antipsychotic agent?
Amisulpride is a novel antipsychotic with a pharmacological and clinical profile that differs from that of other atypical agents. Amisulpride is highly selective for dopamine D2/D3 receptor subtypes located in the limbic region, which is highly predictive of potent antipsychotic activity with a low potential to cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). At the same time, its selective activity at presynaptic D2/D3 receptors is responsible for enhancing dopamine transmission, which predicts efficacy in the treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Amisulpride thus has a unique profile: efficacy in controlling the symptoms of schizophrenia, whether predominantly positive or negative, combined with a low incidence of EPS. This profile is seen during both acute and chronic treatment. Amisulpride is therefore indeed an 'atypical atypical'--a flexible antipsychotic the use of which can be tailored to the changing needs of the patient. It is thus a suitable first-line choice for the treatment of schizophrenia.
INSERM-Unitê 302, H pital La Salpêtrière, Paris, France. lecru@ext.jussieu.fr
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Lecrubier
D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride