Posted by andrewb on August 6, 1999, at 10:50:07
Peter,
Yes, I am taking amisulpride for dysthymia.
I’ve collected off of Medline relevant journal abstracts that can be shown to one’s psychiatrist if you were interested in getting a prescription. The information indicates that amisulpride has had a number of controlled studies performed on it showing its efficacy for treating dysthymia. The implications of the abstracts are summarized below.
Amisulpride is very selective. activating almost exclusively the D2-D3 pathways. More specifically, at low doses (50-100mgs./day) amisulpride antagonizes the presynaptic D2-D3 autoreceptors in the limbic system and, to a lesser extent, in the striatum. The D2-D3 limbic system pathways are thought to be involved in regulating mood and motivation.
Amilsulpride has shown to be safe and to lack abuse potential. Side effects tend tend to be mild and infrequent when men take the drug. However women often (how often?) experience endroconological side effects (Prolactinoma I believe with breast swelling and the like).
Amisulpride has an anxiolytic effect which tends to differentiate it from amisulpride and some other medicines that act on the dopamine pathways.
Amisulpride has a rapid onset of action. One should know whether it will provide relief of depression in days rather thans weeks.
One study indicates that amisulpride compares favourably with fluoxetine for treating dysthymia and major depresion in partial remission.
I hope this information is of help to you. Let us know how it goes if you decide to start on amisulpride.ANDREWB
poster:andrewb
thread:9687
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990726/msgs/9687.html