title: Treatment with amisulpride of addicted patients to psychoactive substances and psychotic symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is ever more available information on the effectiveness of second-generation antipsychotic drugs used in addictive behaviour patients with psychotic symptoms. Due to its characteristics, Amisulpride is a medicine that can be considered as a valid therapeutic option to treat this group of patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the value of Amisulpride to treat patients with addictive behaviours, and the associated morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental, prospective study was conducted. A total of 97 ambulatory patients, who were initiating, or already receiving, treatment at the Addictive Behaviours Unit in Paterna, Valencia (Spain), were selected to take part in the study. Inclusion criteria included female and male patients, diagnosed of missusing any of the following substances: alcohol, heroine, cocaine or cannabis, who having overcome the detoxification phase, presented one or more of the following symptoms: paranoid ideas, hostility, severe irritative or impulsive behaviours, interpersonal sensitivity, and hearing or visual allucinations. An initial dose of Amisulpride, standardized in two ranges (100-300 mg y >/= 400 mg) was used. It was progressively increased according to the clinical response. Four assessments were conducted at months 0, 3, 6 and 9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of a total of 97 patients, 14 were excluded due to violation of the protocol. Twenty patients dropped out and 63 completed the follow-up period. Mean Amilsupride daily dose was 493.5 ± 197.1 mg In those patients who completed the treatment, an overall improvement in their psychological distress, a decreased in craving and an improvement in their psychological and social functioning were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with Amisulpride seems to be effective in patients who are on different addictive substances, and its associated morbidity, both at a short and a medium period of time.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Salud, Consellería de Sanidad Paterna, Spain.
authors.forename: A Sánchez
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Máñez
authors.forename: C Palau
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: N Llorens
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Aleixandre
authors.forename: M L Dorado
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: L Lizán
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Tudela
authors.forename: F J Romero
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Gómez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride