Sulpiride (Equilid): Warnings, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions and Overdose

It is used to treat a psychiatric (mental) illness called schizophrenia.

It is an antipsychotic used to calm patients with mental disorders (who have symptoms such as hallucinations [seeing or hearing things that are not there]) and delusions.

The benefits of using this medication may include treating the symptoms of schizophrenia , reducing their severity and how often they occur.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe this medicine to treat a condition such as Tourette syndrome or other abnormal involuntary movement disorders (choreas).

Sulpiride warnings

Sulpiride should be used with caution in : the elderly, women who are pregnant, and patients during excited, agitated, or aggressive states.

Also in those who have kidney or liver problems, heart problems, high blood pressure (hypertension), severe breathing problems, depression , epilepsy and an enlarged prostate .

It is also used for Parkinson’s disease, myasthenia gravis (a disease of muscle weakness), and a history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Or if the patient or a family member has ever had an eye disease called angle-closure glaucoma, and during states of mania or hypomania (states of overexcitement).

Not for use in : breastfeeding women and patients with acute porphyria (an inherited blood disorder).

Also in people with an enlarged adrenal gland called pheochromocytoma, or those with hormone-dependent breast cancer (prolactin).

Storage

  • Store below 25 ° C.

How to use / take

How often do I take it?

  • Take this medicine by mouth, usually twice a day. The tablets should be swallowed with a drink of water. It is also available in liquid form, to be taken by mouth.
  • Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it.
  • Remember to use it at the same time every day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
  • It may take some time before the full benefit of this medicine takes effect.
  • Certain medical conditions may require different dosage instructions as directed by your physician.

What dosage?

Dosage will depend on your age, gender, medical condition, response to therapy, and use of certain interacting medications.

Do I need to avoid something?

Avoid driving or operating machinery if sulpiride makes you drowsy or less alert than usual. It is also recommended to avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight.

When can I stop the treatment?

It is important that you continue taking this medicine even if you feel fine, unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Sulpiride side effects

  • Drowsiness.
  • Lack of energy.
  • Weight gain.
  • Constipation .
  • Increase or decrease in sexual desire.
  • Impotence and ejaculation problems (in men).
  • Difficulty to sleep.
  • Feeling confused
  • Nasal congestion.
  • Blurry vision.
  • Overexcitement
  • Agitation.
  • Eruptions
  • Pigmentation of the skin or eyes.
  • Sensitivity to sunlight.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If any of these persist or you consider them serious, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms : high temperature, muscle stiffness, fainting, or excessive drowsiness.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medicine for you because he has judged that the benefit to you outweighs the risk of side effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side effects.

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.

Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching / swelling (especially of the face / tongue / throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking sulpiride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, to other antipsychotics, or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.

Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

  • Acute porphyria (an inherited blood disorder, causing blistering of the skin, stomach pain, and disorders of the brain or nervous system).
  • You are semiconscious or in a coma (cannot wake up).
  • Bone marrow disorder.
  • A growth in the adrenal gland called a pheochromocytoma.
  • A hormone-dependent breast cancer (prolactin).

Before using this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially any of the following:

  • Liver or kidney problems, heart problems.
  • High blood pressure or a history of seizures.
  • Lung diseases or breathing difficulties.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

Does drinking alcohol affect this medicine?

The effects of alcohol can be increased by sulpiride, so avoid or moderate your alcohol consumption.

The elderly : Sulpiride should be used with caution in the elderly as they are more likely to have side effects with this drug than younger patients.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: please be sure to read the detailed information below

The pregnancy

The safety of sulpiride has not been established during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about this.

  • First trimester: avoid.
  • Second trimester: not recommended.
  • Third trimester: avoid.

It is wise to limit the use of medications during pregnancy whenever possible.

However, your doctor may decide that the benefits outweigh the risks in individual circumstances and after careful evaluation of your specific health situation.

Interactions

Before using this medication, inform your prescriber of all the medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medications.

Tell your doctor if you are taking vitamins or complementary remedies, such as herbal products, as these can also interact with medications.

If you are taking more than one medicine, they can interact with each other. Your prescriber may decide to use drugs that interact with each other if the benefit outweighs the risks.

In these cases, the dose of your medications may need to be adjusted or more closely monitored.

The following medicines may interact with sulpiride:

  • Other antipsychotics (eg, pimozide or thioridazine).
  • Anticonvulsants (eg, Valproate or phenytoin).
  • Pain relievers (eg, opioids such as tramodol) and general anesthesia.
  • Antiarrhythmics (for example, amiodarone or disopyramide).
  • Antidepressants (the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI] fluoxetine and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline).
  • Antiepileptics (eg, Carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproate, or primidone ).
  • Antihistamines (to treat allergies).
  • Antimalarials (p. Ej., Mefloquine or quinine).
  • Tranquilizers and sleeping pills (for example, diazepam).

Sulpiride overdose

An overdose of sulpiride can cause:

  • Restlessness.
  • Decreased state of consciousness.
  • Agitation.
  • Confusion.
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms (abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck, and tongue, such as tremors, spasms, or stiffness).
  • Eat (inability to wake up).
  • Low blood pressure ( hypotension )

If you believe that you, or someone you care for, may have accidentally taken more than the recommended dose of sulpiride or if an intentional overdose is suspected, contact your local hospital and GP.