Safety of amisulpride in combination with antidepressants under common clinical practice conditions.

AIM: The main objective was to identify the occurrence of adverse events associated with amisulpride when combined with antidepressants (ADs).

METHODS: A non-interventional questionnaire-based study focussed on identification of occurrence and tolerance of combinations of amisulpride with ADs under common clinical practice conditions.

RESULTS: Combinations of amisulpride with ADs were administered to 3178 patients suffering from depression. The average daily dose of amisulpride was 54.8 ± 17 mg (range 50-150 mg/day). The most frequently administered ADs were SSRIs. A total of 4463 adverse events were recorded in 1624 (51%) of all treated patients. The most frequent adverse event was weight gain, followed by headache, fatigue and sleepiness. Only 2% of all adverse events were evaluated as adverse events of medium or high intensity. Higher occurrences of some adverse events were noted for specific combinations.

CONCLUSION: The advantages of AD combinations undoubtedly include administration of lower doses and a reduction of adverse events associated with higher doses of individual ADs. On the other hand, adverse events can also sum. Nevertheless it is generally agreed that, in some patients, a combination of ADs, with different mechanisms of action, can be considered safe and effective polypharmacy.