SULPIRIDA: what is it, what is it for and side effects

Sulpiride is an antipsychotic drug that lowers the amount of dopamine. Dopamine intervenes in a multitude of processes, which is why its correct transmission is essential for the proper functioning of the mind and brain.

If you want to know therefore what it is, what it is for and the side effects of Sulpiride, keep reading this Psychology-Online article.

Index

1. What is Sulpiride
2. What is Sulpiride for
3. Sulpiride Side Effects
4. How to take and how to stop taking Sulpiride
5. Sulpiride contrindications

Sulpiride is a medicine that belongs to the group of so-called antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics.

Its active principle is benzamide which is considered part of the classic neuroleptics. It is an antagonist of dopamine receptors, that is, it is responsible for preventing dopamine (a neurotransmitter that is responsible for sensations of reward) is captured by the next neuron and, therefore, prevents an excess of it in our system highly strung.

Sulpiride is responsible for decreasing the amount of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine has an important role in functions of cognition, behavior, motor activity, motivation, reward, regulation of milk production in women, in sleep, in mood, in attention and in learning.

Therefore, this medicine is used for a multitude of disorders, including:

• Neurosis: that is, those disorders with hallucinations and delusions.
• Depression. In this article you will find information about neurotransmitters involved in depression.
• Neurotic somatizations. Here we talk about the most common neurotic disorders in adults.
• Psychosomatic syndromes: a person feels a certain pain or sensation for no apparent organic reason.
• Schizophrenia: it is characterized by alterations in perception, mismatch with reality and problems in various executive functions.
• Dementias. Here we explain what is it, the types, symptoms and causes of dementia.
• Mania: state of extreme excitability, alteration or euphoria.
• Dizziness or a "spinning" feeling due to an inner ear problem.

It is an exclusive medicine for adults.

Like any medicine, there is a chance of various side effects. Some of them are:

• Weight gain due to a dysregulation in the metabolism of sugars and lipids. Many people wonder if Sulpiride is fattening. As we can see, weight gain is one of the possible side effects.
• Rashes.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Increased body temperature (up to 40ºC and even more), muscle stiffness, problems when speaking and swallowing, tremors, kidney failure, seizures. In the most extreme cases it could lead to the death of the patient.
• Decreased tension.
• Higher prolactin levels, breast enlargement (in women and men), amenorrhea, anorgasmia, chest pain, abnormal secretion of breast milk ...
• Drowsiness.
• Symptoms related to Parkinson's such as slowing down of movements.
• Dyskinesia.
• Seizures.

What are the long-term side effects of Sulpiride? Recent studies have shown that long-term use of these drugs does not increase complications. Formerly, it was believed that the cause of the average life expectancy of people with schizophrenia was 10 years younger was due to the use of antipsychotics, but it has been proven that this is not really the case and that these drugs promote increased life expectancy.

In general, it has been seen that the quality of life of people with the aforementioned diseases who consume antipsychotics compared to those who do not have a better quality of life. It should be noted that once the medication is withdrawn, these symptoms will disappear.

Under no circumstances should the dose be modified if it has not been indicated by the psychiatrist.. This is because abrupt withdrawal from treatment could cause withdrawal symptoms. Similarly, a sudden dose increase can lead to excess dopamine, which can get to increase the side effects and can cause, in the worst cases, the death of the person.

Usually, a low dose of the drug is prescribed that is gradually increased until the optimal dose for the patient is reached. For its withdrawal, it would also be done gradually in order to avoid the withdrawal syndrome already mentioned.

In many cases, the drug is prescribed by a professional other than the psychiatrist, because of many of the side effects of these medications as the patient is not given the dose optimal.

Because it could potentially cause interference, it is important to notify your doctor before taking other medications or even vitamin supplements. In the same way, due to its multitude of side effects, you should warn if you have any other type of disease since it could be contraindicated to take this type of medication.

Since the medication can cross the placenta or be transmitted to the baby through breast milk, its consumption is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The alcohol consumption and, in addition, precautions should be taken when drive or operate machinery as there is an increased risk of accidents.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Sulpiride: what it is, what it is for and side effects, we recommend that you enter our category of Psychopharmaceuticals.

• Ikemoto, S. (2007). Dopamine reward circuitry: two projection systems from the ventral midbrain to the nucleus accumbens – olfactory tubercle complex. Brain research reviews, 56(1), 27-78.
• Lambert, M., Schimmelmann, B. G., Karow, A., & Naber, D. (2003). Subjective well-being and initial dysphoric reaction under antipsychotic drugs-concepts, measurement and clinical relevance. Pharmacopsychiatry, 36(S 3), 181-190.