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Sulpiride

What is sulpiride?

First generation ‘typical’ antipsychotics such as sulpiride are an older class of antipsychotic than second generation ‘atypical’ antipsychotics. They are used primarily to treat positive symptoms including the experiences of perceptual abnormalities (hallucinations) and fixed, false, irrational beliefs (delusions). First generation antipsychotics may cause side effects which can differ depending on which antipsychotic is being administered and on individual differences in reaction to the drug. Reactions may include dyskinesias such as repetitive, involuntary, and purposeless body or facial movements, Parkinsonism (cogwheel muscle rigidity, pill-rolling tremor and reduced or slowed movements), akathisia (motor restlessness, especially in the legs, and resembling agitation) and dystonias such as muscle contractions causing unusual twisting of parts of the body, most often in the neck. These effects are caused by the dopamine receptor antagonist action of these drugs.

What is the evidence for sulpiride?

Low quality evidence is unable to determine any differences between sulpiride and placebo for symptoms or social behavior. Moderate to low quality evidence suggests no differences in global state or relapse rates between sulpiride plus clozapine and clozapine alone. There was less hypersalivation, less appetite loss, less weight gain, and less abdominal distension, but more movement disorders with sulpiride plus clozapine when compared to clozapine alone.

October 2020

Last updated at: 4:10 am, 14th October 2020
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary

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Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.