Which role for amisulpride in rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation

: Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide derivative with selective binding to the D2/D3 dopamine receptor. In patients, a beneficial effect on negative signs has been demonstrated for doses up to 300 mg daily. On the other hand, amisulpride demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of classical form of schizophrenia at higher doses (400 to 800 mg/day up to 1,200 mg/day at the maximum). Five studies that included acutely ill schizophrenic patients are reviewed. All were double blind, randomized parallel group studies and the primary efficacy criterion was the BPRS total score. In these study amisulpride was at least as efficacious as haloperidol (10-30 mg), risperidone (8 mg daily), or flupentixol (25 mg daily) in controlling positive symptoms, but was significantly more effective than haloperidol on secondary negative symptoms. When quality of life (QLS) was assessed, amisulpride led to a better improvement than haloperidol. In the long term treatment of schizophrenia, amisulpride maintained antipsychotic efficacy over a 12-month period in an open randomized study. In this study, amisulpride led to a better improvement on Global Assessment of Functioning than haloperidol, the standard reference drug. Furthermore, amisulpride has a favorable benefit/risk profile and induces fewer extrapyramidal side effects than haloperidol the standard reference drug. Therefore, amisulpride is proposed for first-line treatment of schizophrenia in acute exacerbations. It contributes to favor a better social rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients.