Levosulpiride

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Levosulpiride is a substituted benzamide antipsychotic, reported to be a selective antagonist of dopamine D₂ receptor activity on both central and peripheral levels. It is an atypical neuroleptic and a prokinetic agent. Levosulpiride is also claimed to have mood elevating properties. Levosulpiride is used in the treatment of psychoses, particularly negative symptoms of schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, dysthymia, vertigo, dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and premature ejaculation.

Chemically, it is the (S)-enantiomer of sulpiride.

Side effects include amenorrhoea, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, changes in libido, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome.^[1] It also effects GI motility may be antagonized by anticholinergic agents, narcotics and analgesics.

In contrast to most other neuroleptics which block both dopamine D₁ and D₂ receptors, sulpiride is more selective and acts primarily as a dopamine D₂ antagonist. Sulpiride appears to lack effects on norepinephrine, acetylcholine, serotonin, histamine, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. ^[2]

Sulpiride is a substituted benzamide derivative and a selective dopamine D₂ antagonist with antipsychotic and antidepressant activity. Other benzamide derivatives include metoclopramide, tiapride, and sultopride.^[3]