Amisulpride is an "atypical" antipsychotic associated with low weight gain.
BACKGROUND
It is possible that amisulpride, with its unique receptor binding profile, is not associated with significant weight gain, a serious side effect of most "atypical" antipsychotic drugs. While most "atypicals" have a high affinity for both dopamine and serotonin receptors, amisulpride has only dopamine receptor action.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the weight gain associated with amisulpride.


METHODS
A pooled database of prospective randomised amisulpride studies was analysed. The mean weight gain after 10 weeks of treatment was estimated by regression analysis.


RESULTS
Eleven studies with a total of 1422 patients were pooled, providing 1392 patients who were eligible for evaluation. In the main analysis of all effective doses (50-1200 mg/day) the mean weight gain associated with amisulpride at 10 weeks was 0.8 kg, 95% CI (0.48-1.18). Linear regression showed no dependence of weight gain on daily dose levels (P=0.7). When patients with mean daily doses below 400 mg/day were excluded in a sensitivity analysis, the mean weight gain at ten weeks was again 0.80 kg, 95% CI (0.47-1.16) with n=874. The mean weight gain at study endpoints in 1-year studies was 1.4 kg, 95% CI (0.85-1.90), n=548.


CONCLUSIONS
Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic associated with low weight gain.
Leucht
Stefan
S
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675 Munich, Germany, Stefan.Leucht@lrz.tum.de
Wagenpfeil
Stefan
S
Hamann
Johannes
J
Kissling
Werner
W
D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride