Amisulpride (1 brand name, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: SOLUTION.
Routes of administration: INTRAVENOUS.
Brand Names
- BARHEMSYS
Indications and Usage
BARHEMSYS® is indicated in adults for: prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class. treatment of PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or have not received prophylaxis.
Contraindications
BARHEMSYS is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to amisulpride [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)].
Mechanism of Action
Amisulpride is a selective dopamine-2 (D2) and dopamine-3 (D3) receptor antagonist. D2 receptors are located in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and respond to the dopamine released from the nerve endings. Activation of CTZ relays stimuli to the vomiting center which is involved in emesis. Studies in multiple species indicate that D3 receptors in the area postrema also play a role in emesis. Studies conducted in ferrets have shown that amisulpride inhibits emesis caused by apomorphine, with an estimated ED50 of less than 1 mcg/kg, subcutaneously; and inhibits cisplatin-induced emesis at 2 mg/kg and morphine-induced emesis at 3 to 6 mg/kg, when given intravenously. Amisulpride has no appreciable affinity for any other receptor types apart from low affinities for 5-HT2B and 5-HT7 receptors.
Overdosage
Doses of oral amisulpride (BARHEMSYS is not approved for oral dosing) above 1200 mg/day have been associated with adverse reactions related to dopamine-2 (D2) antagonism, in particular: cardiovascular adverse reactions (e.g., prolongation of the QT interval, torsades de pointes, bradycardia and hypotension) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. neuropsychiatric adverse reactions (e.g., sedation, coma, seizures, and dystonic and extrapyramidal reactions). There is no specific antidote for amisulpride overdose. Management includes cardiac monitoring and treatment of severe extrapyramidal symptoms. Since amisulpride is weakly dialyzed, hemodialysis should not be used to eliminate the drug.