Sulpiride: uses, side effects and precautions

This antipsychotic drug regulates dopamine levels in the brain.

There are a large number of mental disorders and conditions caused by increased levels of a substance in the nervous system called dopamine, which, among many other functions, is responsible for regulating our emotions.

Sulpiride is an antipsychotic drug that regulates dopamine levels in these cases. in these cases. Throughout this article we will talk about the diseases in which it is used, the side effects and the possible precautions to be taken by those who take it.

What is sulpiride?

Sulpiride is an antipsychotic or neuroleptic drug, popularly known as Dogmatil. This antipsychotic falls into the category of specific dopaminergic receptor antagonists, exerting a specific effect on D2 and D3 receptors.

Since it is an antidopaminergic drug, its role is to act on the dopamine receptors found in the brain, preventing the release of this neurotransmitter. The functions of dopamine are to regulate emotional responses, as well as to mediate body movements.

In addition, dopamine is responsible for regulating the experience of sensations such as pleasure, pain or excitement.

Pathologically high levels of dopamine are associated with mental illnesses such as psychosis. mental illnesses such as psychosis and schizophrenia.. For this reason, much of today's antipsychotic medication is designed to block the effects of dopamine.

In what disorders is this drug used?

In adults, sulpiride has proven to be highly effective in numerous psychological disorders and conditions, providing notable improvements in conditions such as neurosis and depressive disorders, as well as in psychosomatic syndromes, senile dementia, vertigo, mania, schizophrenia or in diseases whose symptomatology includes delirium and paranoia.

On the other hand, it is also administered in children with severe behavioral problems.

Neuroses

By neurosis we mean all those mental illnesses or affections linked to hallucinations and linked to hallucinations and delusions, which are distinguished by the which are distinguished by presenting a series of nervous and emotional alterations without any physical lesion or organic damage that justifies them.

2. Depressive disorders

Although there is great variability in the symptomatology of depressive disorders, there are a series of manifestations that are practically common to all of them.

These symptoms include feelings of grief or sadness, irritability, tearfulness and anhedonia.. The latter consists of the inability to feel pleasure or enjoy previously satisfying activities. In addition, in most cases, sleeping and eating patterns are also altered.

Psychosomatic syndromes 3.

Broadly speaking, the syndromes or disorders of psychosomatic character are affections in which the person presents a series of physical symptoms that cannot be justified by any organic disease; but rather they are due to a series of ailments and annoyances of psychological character.

4. Senile dementia

Senile dementia is a degenerative disease or syndrome in which a person gradually loses most of his or her cognitive abilities. the person gradually loses most of his or her cognitive abilities, especially at the cognitive level. especially at the cognitive level.

5. Vertigo

Vertigo is a condition caused by damage or injury to the area of the inner ear called the vestibular labyrinth, which is responsible for controlling our balance, or to an abnormal functioning of the sensory information coming from this area.

The sensation of vertigo is a subjective impression in which the person perceives movements in the objects and the context that surrounds it.. This perception is very similar to the sensation that "everything is spinning".

6. Mania

Mania or manic episodes are included in the mood disorders. This is distinguished by causing an alteration of the mood by which it presents an increase and intensification of some thoughts and emotions associated with the emotions associated with frenzy..

Generally, these people present a great excitability, alteration, euphoria, constant agitation and loss of inhibition, among many other symptoms.

7. Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that encompasses a series of diagnoses characterized by perceptual disturbances, a lack of adjustment to reality and neuropsychological disorganization affecting numerous executive functions.

How is it administered?

Sulpiride is marketed in tablet form for oral administration. Although the dosage may vary according to the patient's disease and the severity of the disease, there are a number of guidelines in theThere are a series of guidelines for the dosage of this drug. However, the physician's instructions must be followed to the letter.

In adults, the recommended dose of sulpiride is between 3 and 6 capsules per day. These should be divided into three intakes throughout the day and, if possible, before meals.

However, the practitioner will adjust the dose to the specific needs of the patient, who will not be able to modify it under any circumstances. This means that the dosage may not be increased or decreasedThis means that the dosage may not be increased or decreased, nor may it be taken more frequently than prescribed by the physician. Otherwise, the patient may suffer numerous health consequences such as withdrawal syndrome.

In cases where the patient feels that the medication has no effect, or perceives unwanted side effects, he/she should not stop taking sulpiride on his/her own or immediately. It is recommended that you contact your doctor so that he/she can adjust the dose or, if necessary, gradually eliminate the treatment.

What are the side effects?

Although not all patients experience them, sulpiride also has a number of side effects, sulpiride also has a number of side effects, which can be classified according to the areas of which can be classified according to the areas affected, as well as the likelihood of occurrence.

General alterations

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• Weight gain.
• Skin alterations such as rashes or spots.

Cardiac conditions

• Drop in blood pressure on rising or standing.
• Rarely, heart conduction problems or the condition Torsade de or the condition Torsade de pointes..

Hormonal alterations

• Increased prolactin levels.

Disorders of the reproductive system

These conditions are closely related to increased prolactin levels. They include the following.

• Amenorrhea.
• Abnormal milk secretion.
• Increased breast size in both women and men.
• Breast pain.
• Alterations in sexual performance.
• Anorgasmia.

Nervous system disorders

• Drowsiness.
• Extrapyramidal symptoms associated with Parkinsonism.
• Slowing of movements and muscle tone.
• Inability to sit still.
• Dyskinesia.
• Convulsions in very rare occasions.

What precautions should be taken with its consumption?

As with all other drugs, both antipsychotics and those of any other category, the patient should inform his doctor of any disease, Allergy or special health condition before taking or special health condition before starting treatment with sulpiride.

The patient should also should also report any treatment with other medications, vitamin supplements or natural compounds.vitamin supplements or natural compounds. The reason for this is that they may interfere with each other and decrease their efficacy.

Due to the sedative effects of sulpiride, the consumption of alcohol is totally contraindicated during the whole treatment. As well as those people who perform activities such as driving or handling heavy machinery, they should also take special precautions.

Finally, the administration of sulpiride is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, since it may cause damage to both the fetus and the newborn.