Safety and pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of amisulpride in healthy elderly volunteers

Objective: Amisulpride is a substituted benzamide neuroleptic, which binds selectively to dopamine D-2 and D-3 receptors, mainly in the limbic structures. States of delusion and agitation occur frequently in the population aged more than 65 years, especially in demented patients and this sometimes requires the use of neuroleptics. The objectives of this study were to determine the safety and the pharmacokinetic profile of 50 mg of amisulpride administered orally as a single dose to elderly volunteers. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 men and 10 women) aged 65-79 years were included in this open trial. Frequent measurements of blood pressure and heart rate were made and ECG and blood samples were performed up to 72 h after drug intake. Results: The overall clinical and cardiovascular safety was satisfactory. The mean C-max of the racemate amisulpride in elderly people was 64.1 +/- 6.7 ng.ml(-1), and was not different from the value of 56 +/- 4.1 ng.ml(-1) in young subjects. As with the C-max, the mean values of t(1/2) and AUC in elderly people (15.6 +/- 1.3 h and 667 +/- 51 ng.ml(-1).h, respectively) were not different to values observed in young subject (respectively 11.7 +/- 0.5 h and 603 +/- 25 ng.ml(-1). h). Conclusions: A single oral dose of amisulpride was well tolerated and showed a similar pharmacokinetic profile in healthy elderly and young subjects. However, these findings should be confirmed after multiple dosing in a larger population in order to establish the lack of need of dosage adjustment in this elderly population.