Levosulpiride
Description
Levosulpiride is primarily used for its gut motility properties i.e. to improve food movement. It is used to treat disorders of the stomach and intestines. At low doses of 50mg and 100mg, it can also be used to manage mental health conditions like schizophrenia. Levosulpiride works by increasing the movement of your stomach and intestines and preventing acid reflux (a condition where the stomach acid flows back into the food pipe). It also blocks the action of certain chemicals in your brain.
Levosulpiride may cause side effects like headache, fatigue, constipation, tiredness, weight changes, and irregular periods. This medicine causes drowsiness, hence avoid any activity that requires mental focus such as driving or operating machines. Consult your doctor if you have missed your periods, have a fever, or have any abnormal milk secretion.
Levosulpiride This medicine is available in tablet and injection form. Take the tablet before a meal or as advised by your doctor. It is important to take this medicine at the same time every day to maintain a constant level of medicine in your body. When used as an injection, Levosulpiride is administered by qualified healthcare professionals in a hospital or a clinic.
Levosulpiride should not be taken if you are allergic to it. Levosulpiride is not recommended if you have epilepsy (brain disorder with abnormal brain activity), bipolar disorder (a mental disorder with mood shifts), breast cancer, or bleeding in the stomach and intestine. Inform your doctor if you have any pre-existing liver, kidney, or other problems. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other herbs and medicines.
Levosulpiride is not recommended to be used in children below 18 years of age. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This medicine has to be used with caution in the elderly population.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Levosulpiride
- Drowsiness
- Breast tenderness
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Increased salivation
- Decrease in sexual drive
- Fever
- Excessive sweating
- Change in heart rate
Uses of Levosulpiride
What is it prescribed for?
- Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Schizophrenia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe exact amount of time required for Levosulpiride to show its action is not clinically known. However, the injection form will act faster than the tablet. Tablets take some time to get absorbed in your body.
- Duration of effectLevosulpiride may remain in your body for 1-2 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid the consumption of alcohol along with Levosulpiride as this may increase the risk of side effects. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating heavy machines.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency was reported for Levosulpiride.
- Usage in pregnancy?Levosulpiride is not recommended if you are pregnant as it can harm your foetus. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
- Usage while breast-feeding?There is no data available on the effects of Levosulpiride while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine during breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Levosulpiride if you have a known allergy to this medicine. If you notice any symptoms such as a skin rash, itching/swelling (especially in the face/throat/lips/tongue), breathing difficulty, etc., inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which nerve cell activity in your brain is disturbed, causing seizures. Levosulpiride is not recommended for use if you have epilepsy as this medicine can trigger seizures.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs. Levosulpiride is not recommended for use if you have bipolar disorder, as it can trigger manic episodes.
Pheochromocytoma
A pheochromocytoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumour that develops in your adrenal gland (small, triangular glands situated on top of your kidneys). These tumours secrete hormones that can cause a sudden increase in your blood pressure. Levosulpiride is not recommended for use in such cases.
Gastrointestinal perforation
Gastrointestinal perforation (GP) occurs when a hole forms all the way through the walls of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine due to diseases or trauma. Levosulpiride increases the gut motility, worsening the condition. Hence it is not recommended for use in such cases.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is a type of cancer occurring in the cells of breasts. Levosulpiride increases the levels of the prolactin hormone in your body. This can worsen breast cancer. Hence this medicine is not recommended for use if you have breast cancer.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Levosulpiride is not recommended if you are pregnant as it can harm your foetus. This medicine is prescribed by your doctor only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast-feeding
There is no data available on the effects of Levosulpiride while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine during breastfeeding.
General warnings
Driving or operating machines
Levosulpiride causes drowsiness, dizziness, numbness, or involuntary movements. Avoid performing any activities such as driving or operating machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
Liver and kidney diseases
There is no information available on the effects of Levosulpiride in such condition. If you have liver or kidney problems, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Use in elderly
Levosulpiride has to be used with caution in elderly people as the risk of side effects is high. Your doctor will choose the correct dose of the medicine for you after assessing you clinically.
Menstrual abnormalities
Levosulpiride has been associated with abnormalities in the menstrual cycle. Contact your doctor if you face any disturbances in your menstrual cycle.
Use in children
Levosulpiride is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Oral form: Take the missed dose of Levosulpiride as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next scheduled dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take double dose to compensate for the missed dose.
Injection form: Missing a dose of Levosulpiride injection is less likely as it is given in a hospital.
Overdose
Oral form: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Contact a doctor for further guidance if an overdose with Levosulpiride is suspected.
Injection form: An overdose of Levosulpiride injection is unlikely to happen as this medicine is administered by a healthcare professional. If overdose is suspected then your doctor will start overdose protocol immediately.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid the consumption of alcohol along with Levosulpiride as this may increase the risk of side effects. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving vehicles or operating heavy machines.
Interaction with Medicine
Diltiazem
Pregabalin
Sucralfate
Tramadol
Ipratropium
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Levosulpiride should be used with caution if you have a problems of the heart and this medicine can alter heart rate. Your doctor may adjust the dose according to your condition and/or closely monitor the functioning of your heart.
Prolactin imbalance
Prolactin is a hormone responsible for milk secretion in women. Levosulpiride can alter the prolactin levels in your body and result in abnormal milk secretion. Use Levosulpiride with caution as it may also increase the chance of breast cancer.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
Levosulpiride is not recommended if you have a history of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medicines). If you have been prescribed this medicine, you will be closely monitored for any unusual symptoms such as high fever, muscle rigidity, irregular heart rate, and blood pressure, excessive sweating, etc. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be considered based on your clinical condition.
Asthma
Levosulpiride should be used with caution if you have a history of asthma. Consult your doctor if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, breathing difficulty, and wheezing after taking this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Prolactin test
Inform the lab if you are using Levosulpiride before undergoing a laboratory test to determine the levels of the prolactin hormone in your body. This medicine may interfere with the test and yield false-positive results.
Oral form: Levosulpiride should be taken half an hour before food with plenty of fluids. Do not chew or crush the tablet in the mouth. Avoid taking this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended.
Injection form: Levosulpiride injection is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Levosulpiride works by increasing the release of acetylcholine (a chemical messenger). This increases the movement of the stomach and intestines and prevents reflux (acid flowing back up to the food pipe). It also blocks the action of certain chemicals in your brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Atypical antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Levosulpiride. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 August 2021].
Mri.cts-mrp.eu. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 30 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
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