INTRODUCTION: Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide that, at low doses, selectively blocks D2 and D3 presynaptic dopamine receptors, enhancing dopaminergic transmission in frontal cortex and limbic areas. Many clinical studies versus placebo, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed amisulpride antidepressant effect, supporting its safety and rapid onset of action. In oncological population, depression is quite frequent and difficult to treat because of the particular sensitivity of cancer patients to the antidepressants' side effects. GOALS OF WORK: The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of low doses of amisulpride (50 mg) in oncological, depressed patients during chemotheraphy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred six consecutive cancer outpatients with depressive symptoms were treated in a prospective, intention to treat, 4-week study, and were evaluated in single-blind with Montgomery Asberg rating scale for depression (MADRS), clinical global impression (CGI) and dosage record treatment emergent symptom scale (DOTES) to assess side effects of treatment. MAIN RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, scores of MADRS and CGI significantly improved (p < 0.002; p < 0.001, respectively), with a reduction of depressive symptoms concerning both emotional (such as apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, etc.) and physical cluster (such as lack of appetite, reduction in weight, tiredness and insomnia) with good tolerability (only two patients dropped out). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first trial on the use of amisulpride in a cohort of oncological, depressed patients during chemotherapy. Amisulpride demonstrated high efficacy and safety. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
INTRODUCTION:Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide that, at low doses, selectively blocks D2 and D3 presynaptic dopamine receptors, enhancing dopaminergic transmission in frontal cortex and limbic areas. Many clinical studies versus placebo, tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors showed amisulpride antidepressant effect, supporting its safety and rapid onset of action. In oncological population, depression is quite frequent and difficult to treat because of the particular sensitivity of cancerpatients to the antidepressants' side effects. GOALS OF WORK: The aims of this study were to evaluate efficacy, safety and tolerability of low doses of amisulpride (50 mg) in oncological, depressedpatients during chemotheraphy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred six consecutive cancer outpatients with depressive symptoms were treated in a prospective, intention to treat, 4-week study, and were evaluated in single-blind with Montgomery Asberg rating scale for depression (MADRS), clinical global impression (CGI) and dosage record treatment emergent symptom scale (DOTES) to assess side effects of treatment. MAIN RESULTS: After 4 weeks of treatment, scores of MADRS and CGI significantly improved (p < 0.002; p < 0.001, respectively), with a reduction of depressive symptoms concerning both emotional (such as apparent sadness, reported sadness, inner tension, etc.) and physical cluster (such as lack of appetite, reduction in weight, tiredness and insomnia) with good tolerability (only two patients dropped out). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first trial on the use of amisulpride in a cohort of oncological, depressedpatients during chemotherapy. Amisulpride demonstrated high efficacy and safety. Controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.
Authors: N Cohen; I Alon; D Almoznino-Sarfian; O Gorelik; S Chachasvili; V Litvinjuk; D Modai; J Weissgarten Journal: J Clin Gastroenterol Date: 1999-07 Impact factor: 3.062
Authors: B Hamon-Vilcot; S Chaufour; C Deschamps; M Canal; I Zieleniuk; P Ahtoy; P Chretien; P Rosenzweig; A Nasr; F Piette Journal: Eur J Clin Pharmacol Date: 1998-07 Impact factor: 2.953
Authors: Erik E Rabin; Miri Kim; Andreas Mozny; Krislyn Cardoza; April C Bell; Lijie Zhai; Prashant Bommi; Kristen L Lauing; Amanda L King; Terri S Armstrong; Theresa L Walunas; Deyu Fang; Ishan Roy; John D Peipert; Erica Sieg; Xinlei Mi; Christina Amidei; Rimas V Lukas; Derek A Wainwright Journal: Brain Behav Immun Health Date: 2022-03-23