Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example

Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example

One way in which antipsychotics drugs are classified as either typical or atypical depending on the drug’s extrapyramidal effects. Traditionally, the term neuroleptics was used to embrace all drugs that fall under conventional or typical antipsychotics. However, the World Psychiatric Association proposes a new terminology that refers to these drugs as first-generation antipsychotics. They include the drugs chlorpromazine, haloperidol, and fluphenazine, whose pharmacological profile is D2 antagonism. Similarly, atypical antipsychotic drugs have a new terminology proposed by WPA and are referred to as second-generation antipsychotics. Their pharmacological profile is 5HT2A/D2 antagonism. These drugs include Clozapine, Aripiprazole, and Amisulpride. This post examines amisulpride across a range of aspects spanning from the FDA indications for treatment, its mechanism of action to renal and hepatic considerations. (Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)

The FDA indications for treatment, Mechanism of Action, and side Effects

Antipsychotic medications work on the brain by reducing dopamine in the brain or helping restore dopamine balance with other chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. The FDA indications for amisulpride, whose brand name is Solian, are approved for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Patients who report hearing voices, seeing, feeling, or sensing things that are not there amongst other symptoms may be given this drug. Amisulpride mechanism of action entails blocking the brain receptors where dopamine acts or prevents dopamine hyperactivity, thus controlling the psychotic illness. Like any other antipsychotic, amisulpride may cause side effects, like insomnia, drowsiness, constipation, and dry mouth (Candiotti et al., 2019). Other side effects reported include weight gain, stopping menstrual periods in women, and breast enlargement in men.(Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)

Dosage, Pearls for Treatment, Special Considerations, and Lab Work To Monitor

Amisulpride dosage for acute psychotic episodes is 400-800 divided into two doses and may be adjusted according to the patient’s response to a maxim of 1.2g per day. Its doses, therefore, range from 50 mg up to 1.2 g depending on the presenting symptoms. The patient is advised to continue taking the drug. It usually takes weeks before amisulpride starts working and may take even months before the patient can enjoy its full benefits, mainly low extrapyramidal effects (Kang & Shirley, 2021). As stated in the preceding sections, the side effects include drowsiness, constipation, and unusual or uncontrollable muscle movements. Patients with comorbidities like kidney problems, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and arrhythmia are advised to take special care and check with the physician before taking amisulpride. The healthcare provider should monitor adverse metabolic effects like glucose metabolism changes, lipid abnormalities, and weight gain. For example, while Amisulpride treatment is not recommended in breastfeeding women, there is insufficient data on its use in pregnant women to inform drug-related risks of congenital disabilities, miscarriage, or any adverse outcomes regarding the matter of fetal health. At the same time, elderly individuals are likely to experience low blood pressure or feel sleepy. There is no dosage adjustment necessary for patients having mild to moderate renal impairment ( eGFR 30mL/mi/1.73m2 and above. Because amisulpride has minimal liver metabolism, it is recommended for those with pre-existing liver disease (Terres-Correia et asl, 2017).(Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)

In conclusion, Amisulpride effectiveness for positive and negative schizophrenia clinical manifestations is bound to help mental health services providers treat and manage these disorders more effectively. The provider should also bear in mind the side effects before initiating or increasing the patient’s doses.(Amisulpride-A Second Generation Antipsychotic Comprehensive Nursing Essay Example)