Levosulpiride

Levosulpiride

Levosulpiride tablet helps with depression, indigestion, GERD, psychiatric disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety disorders, vertigo, hallucinations, schizophrenia, and frequent heartburn. This article will explain how this medicine can help. 

What is Levosulpiride?

Levosulpiride is a type of atypical antipsychotics, which is mostly used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It has two main functions:

• Prokinetic Effect: Levosulpiride is used to improve the movements in the digestive system of the intestine. The secretin effect raises the muscle contractions in the stomach and intestines. These additional contractions boost the movement of food and drinks from the beginning to the end of the digestive tract, thus facilitating an easy move. Through the suppression of the backlash of gastric acid, Levosulpiride helps relieve symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, or vomiting that appear due to GERD and IBS.
• Antipsychotic Effect: The doses less than or equal to 50 to 100mg are used to treat schizophrenia. Schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder, is characterised by delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. Levosulpiride dosage exerts its therapeutic action due to the use of certain neurotransmitter blockers (dopamine) in the brain. 

Levosulpiride Tablet Uses

Levosulpiride is used to treat: 

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a chronic problem, causes abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation. 
• Schizophrenia, a mental illness. 

Side Effects of Levosulpiride Tablet

Levosulpiride can sometimes lead to some unwanted effects. Here are some potential side effects that may arise from taking this tablet:

• Unpleasant sensations like headaches or feeling overly tired. 
• Irregular bowel movements, either too loose or too firm. 
• Your weight may fluctuate, going up or down. 
• For women, menstrual cycles could become erratic. 
• Drowsiness, making you feel sleepy. 
• Decreased sexual desire or drive. 
• Fever, with the body temperature rising. 
• Excessive perspiration leaving you damp. 
• Changes in your heart's rhythmic beating.

Precautions

Tell your doctor about your health problems and medicines before taking Levosulpiride. This helps the doctor decide if Levosulpiride is safe for you.

Levosulpiride is not suitable if you are allergic to this medicine and also if you have: 

• epilepsy (a brain disorder with seizures)
• bipolar disorder (mood swings between mania and depression)
• breast cancer

Use Levosulpiride carefully in the following cases:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Liver or kidney disease
• Older adult
• Heart disease, asthma, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome history (a severe reaction to antipsychotic drugs)

How to Use Levosulpiride?

Levosulpiride comes in tablets and injections. Your doctor decides the right dose and how to take it based on your condition, age, and overall health.

For taking Levosulpiride tablets:

• Take the tablet half an hour before eating or as your doctor instructs.
• Take the tablet at the same time each day to keep a steady amount in your body.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not chew or crush it.
• Carefully follow your doctor's directions. Do not take more than the prescribed Levosulpiride dose.

For injection:

• Qualified healthcare professionals typically administer Levosulpiride injections in a hospital or clinic setting.
• The dosage and frequency of the injections will be determined by your doctor based on your condition and response to the treatment.

How Levosulpiride Works

Levosulpiride makes the stomach and intestines contract more. This improves the movement of food. The medicine does this by increasing a chemical called acetylcholine in the body.

At lower doses, levosulpiride also treats schizophrenia. It blocks certain brain chemicals. This helps with schizophrenia symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your levosulpiride tablet, take it immediately when you remember. But, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and take your regular dose. Do not take two doses of the medication at a time.

For Levosulpiride injections, you likely won't miss a dose. The injections are given by healthcare workers.

Overdose

Taking more Levosulpiride than prescribed may cause an overdose. This can be harmful. If you think you've taken too much, get medical help immediately or call the poison control centre.

Signs of Levosulpiride overdose include:

• Extreme sleepiness
• Feeling confused
• Heart beating irregularly
• Having seizures

Storage 

• Keep Levosulpiride tablets at room temperature. 
• Avoid direct sunlight. 
• Store in a dry area. 
• For Levosulpiride injections, follow storage advice from your doctor or the product instructions.

Comparison: Levosulpiride vs. Naxdom

Levosulpiride and Naxdom (Domperidone) are both medications used for the treatment of digestive disorders, but they have some differences.

Is it safe to take Levosulpiride with other medicines?

You must tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, and herbs you are taking or plan to take. Levosulpiride can react with certain drugs. This could change how they work or increase the risk of side effects.

Some common interactions with Levosulpiride include:

• Diltiazem (treats high blood pressure and heart issues)
• Pregabalin (treats nerve pain and epilepsy)
• Sucralfate (treats stomach ulcers)
• Tramadol (relieves pain)
• Ipratropium (treats asthma and COPD)

Your doctor may need to change your dosages. Or, they may watch you closely for any problems when taking Levosulpiride with other drugs.

Conclusion

Levosulpiride is a helpful medicine. It makes the gut move food better. It treats heartburn, stomach issues, and schizophrenia (at low doses). But it would help if you took it as the doctor says. This way, you can avoid side effects or problems with other drugs.

If you have bad or lasting side effects, or if levosulpiride doesn't help your symptoms, see your doctor right away. Talking openly with your doctor is important. It ensures you get safe and effective treatment.

FAQs

1. Is Levosulpiride safe? 

Yes, it is generally considered safe if prescribed by your doctor. But it does have some side effects. Remember to take precautions before consuming it.

2. Is levosulpiride safe for the liver? 

This drug impacts your liver's function – that's certain. Still, data is scarce on specifics. If you have any liver troubles, be sure to consult a doctor before taking these pills. 

3. Why is Levosulpiride used? 

It is mainly used for gut motility. It helps improve the digestive system and treats issues like GERD and schizophrenia.

4. Can I take Levosulpiride with omeprazole? 

Yes, taking omeprazole and Levosulpiride together is considered safe. Nevertheless, seeking medical guidance beforehand remains vital to avoid any potential drug interactions.

5. Who should not take Levosulpiride? 

You should not use Levosulpiride if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. It is also recommended not to take levosulpiride in the following conditions: 

• Allergy to the medication
• Epilepsy
• Bipolar disorder
• Breast cancer
• Bleeding in the stomach and intestine
• Pheochromocytoma (a type of adrenal gland tumour)
• Gastrointestinal perforation (a hole in your stomach or intestine)

6. Can I take Levosulpiride daily? 

Yes, you can. The medication is generally taken once or twice a day, depending on the recommended dosage given by your doctor. You must follow your doctor's instructions and take the medicine on time each day. 

7. Can I take levosulpiride during pregnancy? 

Levosulpiride is not recommended during pregnancy as it can potentially harm the developing foetus. Your doctor may prescribe it only if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

8. In which all dosage forms is Levosulpiride available? 

Levosulpiride is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablets
• Injections

The tablets are for oral administration, while the injections are typically given in a hospital or clinical setting by healthcare professionals.