Amisulpride-induced mania in a patient with schizophrenia

Rechallenge with Amisulpride in a Patient with Schizophrenia following a Manic Episode during Previous Therapy

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic. It is also effective in treating depression. The potential antidepressant effect raises the concern that amisulpride can induce mania. However, reports of amisulpride-induced mania have been rare. Here, we present the case of a Taiwanese woman with a 22-year history of schizophrenia. At the age 57 years, she developed manic symptoms while on treatment with amisulpride for six weeks. She was immediately admitted to the psychiatric in-patient unit. The manic symptoms completely subsided within eight days without the administration of any mood stabilizer. Readministration of a single dose of 200 mg amisulpride during hospitalization induced the same manic symptoms, which remitted completely within 24 hours without any mood stabilizer administration.

A Case of Probable Amisulpride Induced Mania after Eight Months of Therapy

Development of manic symptoms during treatment with atypical antipsychotics can be a troublesome side effect that has been described with most atypical antipsychotics. However, reports of amisulpride induced mania have been rare. Here, we report the case of an 18-year-old male patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, who developed manic symptoms while on treatment with amisulpride. While previous reports have described occurrence of mania within days to three months of treatment with amisulpride, we report a case where manic symptoms occurred after around eight months of therapy. We have also attempted to describe the possible risk factors based on the available case studies.

Amisulpride-associated mania in a young adult with schizophrenia and cerebral disease

PURPOSE

A case of rapid-onset mania after initiating amisulpride in a patient with schizophrenia and cerebral disease is reported.

SUMMARY

A 19-year-old Taiwanese man had a 1-year history of schizophrenia, paranoid type, and cerebral palsy. His only medication was a 12-week course of risperidone 6 mg orally daily. His positive symptoms of auditory hallucinations and paranoid delusions improved markedly, but negative symptoms of inattention, avolition, and anhedonia continued. His motor disability and athetosis of the hand related to cerebral palsy also worsened during risperidone therapy. After a discussion with the patient's guardian, conversion of antipsychotic therapy from risperidone to amisulpride was commenced. On days 1-8 of the conversion, amisulpride 400 mg was given orally daily. The daily risperidone dose on days 1, 2, and 3 was 6, 4, and 2 mg, respectively; risperidone was discontinued after day 3. On day 4, the patient exhibited a euphoric mood, with persistent laughing, expansive self-esteem, extreme talkativeness, flight of ideas, distractibility, and psychomotor agitation. On day 8, the amisulpride dosage was increased to 800 mg orally daily and his manic symptoms worsened. On day 17, amisulpride was withheld and risperidone 4 mg daily was resumed. The manic symptoms subsided within three days after the cessation of amisulpride. The patient was maintained on risperidone 4 mg daily for six months without any further hypomanic or manic symptoms.

CONCLUSION

A 19-year-old man with schizophrenia and underlying cerebral disease developed rapid-onset mania after risperidone was replaced with amisulpride. The reaction resolved soon after amisulpride was discontinued and treatment with risperidone was reinstituted.

Amisulpride induced mania

Amisulpride is an atypical antipsychotic used for the management of schizophrenia and other conditions like dysthymia. It has also been used for the management of bipolar disorders as an add on therapy. Here, we report a patient of schizophrenia who developed a manic episode while on amisulpride.

Manic/hypomanic symptoms induced by atypical antipsychotics: a review of the reported cases

The widespread use of atypical antipsychotics (APs) in clinical practice has advanced the pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia regarding treatment resistant cases as well as the negative symptoms of the disorder. Atypical antipsychotics manifest a favourable side effect profile compared to the conventional APs. Atypical APs are also being used as adjunct therapy or monotherapy in patients with manic episodes of bipolar and schizoaffective disorder as well as in patients with psychotic (delusional) depression. On the other hand, atypical APs are also used in combination with (selective) serotonin reuptake inhibitors [(S) SRIs] in the treatment of resistant depression. Shortly after the introduction of atypical APs several cases of manic/hypomanic symptoms during treatment with these compounds have been described in the literature. The reported cases and the possible pathogenetic mechanisms involved in their occurrence are reviewed and discussed.