Side effects
Sulpiride treatment can cause various side effects. The most common side effects are dizziness, headache, dry mouth or excessive saliva production, sweating, palpitations and gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, constipation). More rarely, sleep disorders, changes in blood pressure, visual disturbances, increase in appetite, increase in prolactin levels with milk secretion from the breast, sexual dysfunction, Parkinson-like symptoms (stiffness, shakiness, lack of movement) and concentration problems may occur. Long-term use of the drug leads to more frequent and permanent nerve damage, especially in older women, which manifests itself in tremors, movement difficulties and twitching.
Application for children and young people
Sulpiride must not be administered to children under six years of age. In older children, the drug is reserved only for the treatment of schizophrenia and the dose is adjusted to the individual child.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Sulpiride must not be taken during pregnancy and lactation. Children whose mothers have taken the drug during pregnancy suffer from withdrawal symptoms and movement difficulties as well as breathing difficulties after birth. In such cases, close medical supervision is necessary.
Interactions
If sulpiride is taken at the same time as other drugs, undesirable interactions between the different substances may occur. For example, if the drug levodopa (Parkinson’s disease drug) is taken at the same time, the two drugs can weaken each other. Therefore, sulpiride must not be taken at the same time as levodopa.In contrast, the effect of sulpiride increases when sleeping pills, anxiety relievers, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, strong painkillers (morphine derivatives) and antihistamines are taken at the same time.
When taking antihypertensive drugs at the same time, sulpiride can cause dangerously high blood pressure peaks as well as an extreme drop in blood pressure. Drugs that influence heart activity can, together with sulpiride, lead to serious cardiac arrhythmia and should therefore not be taken in this combination. Women who take the contraceptive pill develop more side effects under sulpiride therapy.
A pregnancy test can be falsely positive. If antacids (drugs that reduce the production of stomach acid) are taken at the same time, the absorption of sulpiride into the organism is reduced. This leads to a weakening of the effect. The two drugs should therefore be taken at least two hours apart. Alcohol should be avoided during therapy with sulpiride.
