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Amisulpride is an “atypical” antipsychotic associated with low weight gain

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Abstract

Rationale

It is possible that amisulpride, with its unique receptor binding profile, is not associated with significant weight gain, a serious side effect of most “atypical” antipsychotic drugs. While most “atypicals” have a high affinity for both dopamine and serotonin receptors, amisulpride has only dopamine receptor action.

Objectives

To analyse the weight gain associated with amisulpride.

Methods

A pooled database of prospective randomised amisulpride studies was analysed. The mean weight gain after 10 weeks of treatment was estimated by regression analysis.

Results

Eleven studies with a total of 1422 patients were pooled, providing 1392 patients who were eligible for evaluation. In the main analysis of all effective doses (50–1200 mg/day) the mean weight gain associated with amisulpride at 10 weeks was 0.8 kg, 95% CI (0.48–1.18). Linear regression showed no dependence of weight gain on daily dose levels (P=0.7). When patients with mean daily doses below 400 mg/day were excluded in a sensitivity analysis, the mean weight gain at ten weeks was again 0.80 kg, 95% CI (0.47–1.16) with n=874. The mean weight gain at study endpoints in 1-year studies was 1.4 kg, 95% CI (0.85–1.90), n=548.

Conclusion

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic associated with low weight gain.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by a grant from Sanofi-Synthélabo, who provided us with unrestricted access to their data. Company personnel were not involved in the analysis of the data, nor did they have any authority over the publication. No funds were paid directly to the authors. We are indebted to Hans-Jörg Baurecht for his excellent assistance in the management of the database.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675, München, Germany

    Stefan Leucht, Johannes Hamann & Werner Kissling

  2. The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Kaufmann Building, 75–59 263rd Street, Glen Oaks, NY, 11004, USA

    Stefan Leucht

  3. Institute of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, 81675, München, Germany

    Stefan Wagenpfeil

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  1. Stefan Leucht
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  2. Stefan Wagenpfeil
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  4. Werner Kissling
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Correspondence to Stefan Leucht.

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Leucht, S., Wagenpfeil, S., Hamann, J. et al. Amisulpride is an “atypical” antipsychotic associated with low weight gain. Psychopharmacology 173, 112–115 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1721-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-003-1721-6

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