Amisulpride

Amisulpride (brand-name Solian®) is an antipsychotic drug sold by Sanofi-Aventis. Amisulpride is a selective dopamine antagonist. It has a high affinity for D2 (Ki 2.8 nM) and D3 (Ki 3.2 nM) dopaminergic receptors. Its dosage ranges from 200 to 1200 mg/day. Lower doses (less than 50 mg) preferentially block d2 autoreceptors that control the synthesis and release of dopamine. This results in an increase in dopaminergic transmission. This dopamine increase is hypothesized to cause a reduction in both depressive and negative symptoms. Higher doses of the drug block the postsynaptic dopamine receptors resulting in an improvement in psychoses. Amisulpride is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Amisulpride (in 50mg doses) is marketed as a treatment for dysthymia in Italy (as Deniban) In one study, anxiety measured by HAM-A total mean score decreased significantly more with amisulpride 50mg/day (63%) than with fluoxetine 20mg/day (54%; P = 0.021).

Side effects
Prolactin induction, nausea, weight gain, although much less than similar drugs in its class, and less commonly QT interval prolongation (which can lead to serious heart arrhythmias). Overdoses of amisulpride have been linked with torsades de pointes.