Sulpiride

Tranquilizer, Sedative/Hypnotic · Substituted benzamide

Indications

Acute and chronic schizophrenia.

Dosage

Adults: 200-400 mg twice daily. Severe cases, max 1800 mg daily. Elderly: Initially 50-100 mg increasing gradually to normal adult dose. Max 2.4 gm daily. Children: Schizophrenia: 14-18 yr, 200-400 mg twice daily, dose increased to max 2.4 gm daily in mainly positive symptoms. Max 2.4 gm daily.

Adverse Effects

Hyperprolactinaemia, acute dystonias and dyskinesias, Parkinsonism, drowsiness, insomnia, erythema, ECG changes, hypotension, convulsions, jaundice, constipation, extrapyramidal symptoms, raised liver enzyme, rash, breast pain, wt gain, galactorrhoea. Blood dyscrasias, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seizures.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Pheochromocytoma. Severe hepatic, renal or blood disease. Depressed CNS function. Alcohol intoxication. Acute porphyria, prolactin-dependent tumours. Precautions: Extra-pyramidal disturbances, hypertension, tumours, renal or hepatic impairment, hypomania, excited or aggressive patients, history of jaundice, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, severe respiratory disease, myasthenia gravis. Risk factors for QT prolongation, VTE or stroke. Family history of breast cancer. History of glaucoma, ileus, congenital digestive stenosis, urinary retention or prostatic hyperplasia. Risk of photosensitivity with high dose. Risk of blood dyscrasias. Elderly. Withdraw gradually.

Interactions

CNS depressants, antacids, lithium, antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, drugs that prolong QT interval, alcohol, antipsychotics, dopaminergics, anaesthetics, opioid analgesics, fluoxetine.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Do not stop taking medication abruptly, gradually lower the dose and then stop. Contact prescriber immediately if there is abnormal movements particularly of the face/lips/jaw/tongue, high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Do not take antacids or sucralfate within 2 hours of taking medication. Change position slowly from sitting or lying to standing.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Slowly absorbed from the GI tract. Metabolism: Negligible. Bioavailability: Low; subject to interindividual variation. Half-life elimination: 8-9 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: 3-6 hrs. Excretion: Urine. Faeces.

Unlicensed Use

Children: Tourette syndrome: 2-12 yr, 50-400 mg twice daily; 12-18 yr, 100-400 mg twice daily.

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.