See the DrugPatentWatch profile for amisulpride

Amisulpride is an antipsychotic medication used primarily for the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders [1]. One of the common side effects of amisulpride is somnolence, or drowsiness [2]. Individual factors can influence the likelihood and severity of amisulpride-induced sleepiness.

1. Age: Elderly patients are more susceptible to amisulpride-induced sleepiness due to age-related pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes [3].

2. Concomitant Medications: The concurrent use of other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines, or other antipsychotics, can increase the risk and severity of amisulpride-induced sleepiness [4].

3. Dosage: Higher doses of amisulpride are associated with a greater likelihood and severity of sleepiness [5].

4. Individual Sensitivity: Some individuals may be more sensitive to the sedative effects of amisulpride due to genetic factors or other individual differences [6].

5. Underlying Medical Conditions: Patients with underlying medical conditions, such as sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, may be more susceptible to amisulpride-induced sleepiness [7].

It is essential for healthcare providers to consider these individual factors when prescribing amisulpride to minimize the risk and severity of sleepiness [8]. Patients should also be educated about the potential for sleepiness and advised to avoid activities that require mental alertness, such as operating heavy machinery or driving, until they know how amisulpride affects them [9].

Sources:
[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3134, Amisulpride. Last updated on December 3, 2021. Available at: <https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Amisulpride>.
[2] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amisulpride for schizophrenia. Last updated on November 2014. Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg148/chapter/1-Recommendations#amisulpride>.
[3] Hiemke, C., Bergemann, R., & Delini-Stula, A. (2006). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions with antipsychotics. CNS drugs, 20(3), 177-210.
[4] Leucht, S., Cipriani, A., Spineli, L., Mavridis, D., Oakley, D., and Richter, F. (2013). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 15 antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia: a multiple-treatments meta-analysis. The Lancet, 382(9896), 951-962.
[5] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amisulpride for schizophrenia. Last updated on November 2014. Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg148/chapter/1-Recommendations#amisulpride>.
[6] Arranz, M. J., de Leon, J., Tolosa, E., & Vieta, E. (2010). Personalized medicine in psychiatry: the role of pharmacogenetics. Molecular psychiatry, 15(1), 13-27.
[7] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amisulpride for schizophrenia. Last updated on November 2014. Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg148/chapter/1-Recommendations#amisulpride>.
[8] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amisulpride for schizophrenia. Last updated on November 2014. Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg148/chapter/1-Recommendations#amisulpride>.
[9] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Amisulpride for schizophrenia. Last updated on November 2014. Available at: <https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg148/chapter/1-Recommendations#amisulpride>.