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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

AMISULPRIDE: 3,152 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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3,152
Total FAERS Reports
324 (10.3%)
Deaths Reported
1,537
Hospitalizations
3,152
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
273
Life-Threatening
83
Disabilities
Feb 26, 2020
FDA Approved
Acacia Pharma Ltd
Manufacturer
Prescription
Status

Drug Class: Dopamine D2 Antagonists [MoA] · Route: INTRAVENOUS · Manufacturer: Acacia Pharma Ltd · FDA Application: 209510 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available

Patent Expires: Mar 10, 2031 · First Report: 1981 · Latest Report: 20250627

What Are the Most Common AMISULPRIDE Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Drug ineffective
665 reports (21.1%)
#2 Most Reported
Weight increased
346 reports (11.0%)
#3 Most Reported
Toxicity to various agents
305 reports (9.7%)

All AMISULPRIDE Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Drug ineffective 665 21.1% 9 416
Weight increased 346 11.0% 0 213
Toxicity to various agents 305 9.7% 82 207
Suicide attempt 261 8.3% 6 229
Akathisia 252 8.0% 0 194
Extrapyramidal disorder 226 7.2% 2 129
Drug abuse 219 7.0% 60 93
Leukopenia 218 6.9% 0 168
Therapeutic product effect incomplete 200 6.4% 0 163
Off label use 191 6.1% 1 112
Schizophrenia 188 6.0% 0 99
Product use in unapproved indication 187 5.9% 4 124
Neutropenia 181 5.7% 5 58
Antipsychotic drug level below therapeutic 178 5.7% 1 170
Euphoric mood 178 5.7% 0 170
Increased appetite 173 5.5% 0 161
Disinhibition 169 5.4% 0 160
Electrocardiogram qt prolonged 167 5.3% 4 84
Obsessive-compulsive disorder 162 5.1% 0 158
Somnolence 157 5.0% 14 95

Who Reports AMISULPRIDE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 41.3% female, 58.7% male. Average age: 42.7 years. Most reports from: GB. View detailed demographics →

Is AMISULPRIDE Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2000 5 5 0
2001 1 0 1
2002 17 0 16
2003 3 0 2
2004 5 0 3
2005 22 2 1
2006 13 0 4
2007 3 0 3
2008 26 15 8
2009 11 0 4
2010 13 2 5
2011 25 10 6
2012 38 7 22
2013 62 7 28
2014 105 7 65
2015 120 5 63
2016 128 23 75
2017 148 1 72
2018 138 13 56
2019 129 9 61
2020 137 14 87
2021 85 1 52
2022 134 22 55
2023 78 9 45
2024 104 37 47
2025 46 0 24

View full timeline →

What Is AMISULPRIDE Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 1,130
Schizophrenia 779
Psychotic disorder 202
Depression 133
Bipolar disorder 94
Schizoaffective disorder 93
Psychotherapy 39
Hallucination, auditory 34
Mental disorder 32
Drug abuse 31

AMISULPRIDE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

AMISULPRIDE vs AMITRIPTYLINE AMISULPRIDE vs AMITRIPTYLINE\PERPHENAZINE AMISULPRIDE vs AMIVANTAMAB AMISULPRIDE vs AMIVANTAMAB-VMJW AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE BESILATE AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE\ATORVASTATIN AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE\BENAZEPRIL AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE\HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE\OLMESARTAN AMISULPRIDE vs AMLODIPINE\HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE\OLMESARTAN MEDOXOMIL

Other Drugs in Same Class: Dopamine D2 Antagonists [MoA]

Official FDA Label for AMISULPRIDE

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

Drug Description

The active ingredient of BARHEMSYS is amisulpride, a dopamine-2 (D 2 ) receptor antagonist. Its chemical name is 4-Amino- N -[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-5-(ethylsulfonyl)- o -anisamide. It has the following chemical structure: (racemic) The empirical formula is C 17 H 27 N 3 O 4 S representing a molecular weight of 369.48. Amisulpride is a white or almost white crystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol and freely soluble in methylene chloride, and has a melting point of around 126°C. The compound is racemic and shows no optical rotation and is not hygroscopic. No other polymorphs of amisulpride have been reported. BARHEMSYS (amisulpride) injection is a clear, colorless, nonpyrogenic, sterile solution formulation of amisulpride 5 mg/2 mL (2.5 mg/mL) or 10 mg/4 mL (2.5 mg/mL) for intravenous infusion presented in a single-dose vial. It has a pH of approximately 5.0 and the osmolality of the product is between 250 and 330 mOsmol/kg.

Each

2 mL vial of BARHEMSYS contains 5 mg of amisulpride; 18.7 mg of citric acid monohydrate USP; 3.6 mg of sodium chloride USP; 32.64 mg of trisodium citrate dihydrate; hydrochloric acid NF and sodium hydroxide NF as needed to adjust the pH (4.75 to 5.25); and Water for Injection USP to make up to volume.

Each

4 mL vial of BARHEMSYS contains 10 mg of amisulpride; 37.4 mg of citric acid monohydrate USP; 7.2 mg of sodium chloride USP; 65.3 mg of trisodium citrate dihydrate; hydrochloric acid NF and sodium hydroxide NF as needed to adjust the pH (4.75 to 5.25); and Water for Injection USP to make up to volume.

Chemical

Structure

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

AND USAGE BARHEMSYS ® is indicated in adults for: prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class. treatment of PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or have not received prophylaxis. BARHEMSYS is a dopamine-2 (D 2 ) antagonist indicated in adults for: Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), either alone or in combination with an antiemetic of a different class. ( 1 ) Treatment of PONV in patients who have received antiemetic prophylaxis with an agent of a different class or have not received prophylaxis. ( 1 )

Dosage & Administration

AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage of BARHEMSYS: Prevention of PONV, either alone or in combination with another antiemetic : 5 mg as a single intravenous dose infused over 1 to 2 minutes at the time of induction of anesthesia. ( 2.1 ) Treatment of PONV : 10 mg as a single intravenous dose infused over 1 to 2 minutes in the event of nausea and/or vomiting after a surgical procedure. ( 2.1 ) See full prescribing information for preparation and administration instructions . ( 2.2 )

2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended adult dosage of BARHEMSYS and infusion rate by indication is shown in the table below: Indication Adult Dosage Regimen Prevention of PONV 5 mg as a single intravenous injection infused over 1 to 2 minutes at the time of induction of anesthesia <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]</span> . Treatment of PONV 10 mg as a single intravenous injection infused over 1 to 2 minutes in the event of nausea and/or vomiting after a surgical procedure <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]</span> .

2.2 Preparation and Administration Dilution of BARHEMSYS is not required before administration. BARHEMSYS is chemically and physically compatible with Water for Injection, 5% Dextrose Injection, 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer&apos;s Solution (also known as Ringer&apos;s Lactate Solution, Compound Sodium Lactate Solution, and Hartmann&apos;s Solution), any of which may be used to flush an intravenous line before or after administration of BARHEMSYS. Protect from light. BARHEMSYS is subject to photodegradation. Administer BARHEMSYS within 12 hours of removal of the vial from the protective carton. Prior to administration, inspect the BARHEMSYS solution visually for particulate matter and discoloration. Discard if particulate matter or discoloration is observed.

Contraindications

BARHEMSYS is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to amisulpride [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Known hypersensitivity to amisulpride. ( 4 )

Known Adverse Reactions

REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions (≥ 2%) are: Prevention of PONV : increased blood prolactin concentrations, chills, hypokalemia, procedural hypotension, and abdominal distension. ( 6.1 ) Treatment of PONV : infusion site pain. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Acacia Pharma at 1-877-357-9237 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to BARHEMSYS in 1,166 patients treated in placebo-controlled trials. 748 of these patients received a dose of 5 mg for prevention of PONV (of whom 572 received another antiemetic concomitantly) and 418 patients received 10 mg for treatment of PONV <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2) ]</span> . The mean age of the population was 49 years (range 18 to 91 years), 87% female, 80% White/Caucasian, 9% Black, and 1% Asian. Prevention of PONV Common adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of adult patients who received BARHEMSYS 5 mg and at a higher rate than placebo in Studies 1 and 2 for the prevention of PONV are shown in Table 1.

Table

1.

Common Adverse Reactions

Reported in at least 2% of patients treated with BARHEMSYS and at a higher rate than placebo in Adult Patients in Studies 1 and 2 of BARHEMSYS for Prevention of PONV BARHEMSYS 5 mg Placebo N=748 N=741 Chills 4% 3% Hypokalemia 4% 2% Procedural hypotension 3% 2% Abdominal distension 2% 1% Serum prolactin concentrations were measured in Study 1 where 5% (9/176) of BARHEMSYS-treated patients vs 1% (1/166) of placebo-treated patients had increased blood prolactin reported as an adverse reaction. Serum prolactin concentrations increased from a mean of 10 ng/mL at baseline to 32 ng/mL after BARHEMSYS treatment in 112 females (upper limit of normal 29 ng/mL) and from 10 ng/mL to 19 ng/mL in 61 males (upper limit of normal 18 ng/mL). No clinical consequences due to elevated prolactin levels were reported. Treatment of PONV The most common adverse reaction, reported in at least 2% of adult patients who received BARHEMSYS 10 mg (N=418) and at a higher rate than placebo (N=416), in clinical trials for the treatment of PONV (Studies 3 and 4) was infusion site pain (BARHEMSYS 6%; placebo 4%).

6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval chronic oral use of amisulpride outside of the United States (BARHEMSYS is not approved for oral dosing or chronic use). Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Blood and lymphatic system disorders : agranulocytosis Cardiac disorders : bradycardia, torsades de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, prolonged QT by electrocardiogram General disorders : neuroleptic malignant syndrome Immune system disorders : angioedema, hypersensitivity, urticaria Hepatic disorders : increased hepatic enzymes Nervous system disorders : agitation, anxiety, dystonia, extrapyramidal disorder, seizure Psychiatric disorders : confusional state, insomnia, somnolence Vascular disorders : hypotension

Warnings

AND PRECAUTIONS QT Prolongation : Occurs in a dose- and concentration-dependent manner. Avoid use in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients taking droperidol. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients with pre-existing arrhythmias/cardiac conduction disorders; electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia); congestive heart failure; and in patients taking other medicinal products (e.g., ondansetron) or with other medical conditions known to prolong the QT interval. ( 5.1 , 7.2 )

5.1 QT Prolongation BARHEMSYS causes dose- and concentration-dependent prolongation of the QT interval <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]</span> . The recommended dosage is 5 or 10 mg as a single intravenous dose infused over 1 to 2 minutes <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]</span> . Avoid use in patients with congenital long QT syndrome and in patients taking droperidol. Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is recommended in patients with pre-existing arrhythmias/cardiac conduction disorders; electrolyte abnormalities (e.g., hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia); congestive heart failure; and in patients taking other medicinal products (e.g., ondansetron) or with other medical conditions known to prolong the QT interval <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Drug Interactions (7.2) ]</span> .

Drug Interactions

INTERACTIONS

7.1 Dopamine Agonists Reciprocal antagonism of effects occurs between dopamine agonists (e.g., levodopa) and BARHEMSYS. Avoid using levodopa with BARHEMSYS.

7.2 Drugs Prolonging the QT Interval BARHEMSYS causes dose- and concentration-dependent QT prolongation <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]</span> . To avoid potential additive effects, avoid use of BARHEMSYS in patients taking droperidol. ECG monitoring is recommended in patients taking other drugs known to prolong the QT interval (e.g., ondansetron) <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]</span> .