Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psycholeptics, antipsychotics
ATC code: N05AL05
Amisulpride binds selectively with a high affinity to human dopaminergic D2/D3 receptor subtypes whereas it is devoid of affinity for D1, D4 and D5 receptor subtypes.
Unlike classical and atypical neuroleptics, amisulpride has no affinity for serotonin, alpha-adrenergic, histamine H1and cholinergic receptors. In addition, amisulpride does not bind to sigma receptors.
In animal studies, at high doses, amisulpride blocks dopamine receptors in the limbic structure in preference to those in the striatum. At low doses it preferentially blocks pre-synaptic D2/D3 receptors, producing dopamine release responsible for its disinhibitory effects.
This pharmacological profile explains the clinical efficacy of amisulpride when used for both negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia.