Amisulpride as an Augmentation Agent in Treatment Resistant Depression: a Case Series and Review of the Literature
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Amisulpride (AMS) in low dosage has been used effectively for treatment of dysthymia. Yet there is a dearth of reports on its use as an augmentation agent in therapy-resistant depression. We deal with this issue presenting case reports and a review of the literature. The addition of 50 mg amisulpride (AMS) to antidepressant therapy in seven patients with depression at different stages of treatment resistance, one of them a case of recurrent brief depression, is described in this report. Augmentation with AMS led to a profound improvement in psychopathology in most patients. The only side effects were elevation of prolactin levels and occasional weight gain. In most cases, improvement occurred early, after only 1-2 weeks of treatment. In some patients, reduction or cessation of AMS led to an immediate and intense recurrence of depressive symptoms that resembled a withdrawal syndrome. Further investigations into the clinical utility and the mode of action of AMS as an augmentation agent are warranted.
Source: Psychiatria Danubina
Author: Hans Rittmannsberger
Institution: Kepler Universitätsklinikum
Language: English
Subfield: Pharmacology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2959768002