Sulpiride
Toxicology Overview / Directory
Purpose of the test
Sulpiride (Dolmatil, Sanofi-Synthelabo) is a substituted benzamide that is used as an antipsychotic and also as an antidepressant/anxiolytic in some countries. Sulpiride is slowly and incompletely absorbed after oral administration and extensively metabolised (about 20 % of an oral dose is excreted in the urine as unchanged drug). The plasma half-life of sulpiride is 6-8 h. Antipsychotic effects occur at daily oral doses of 400-1800 mg with a maximum reported daily dose of 3600 mg. Antidepressant effects generally occur at lower daily doses (50-300 mg).
Sulpiride assay is sometimes useful in assessing adherence and in the diagnosis of acute poisoning. Steady-state plasma sulpiride concentrations in the range 270-780 μg/L have been reported in patients given 800 mg sulpiride/day, but plasma concentrations more than 500 μg/L are thought to be undesirable for optimal clinical response.
Sample Requirements
4 mL of ETDA whole blood is preferred. Serum or plasma can be used if required, but please avoid gel-separator tubes.
Storage and Transport
Please refrigerate (if possible) if not sending immediately. Send by first class post to:
Toxicology Unit
Top Floor,
Bessemer Wing
King’s College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
Please use the form below, COMPLETE ALL FIELDS, and send as a hard copy with the sample.
PDF Request Form
Download Sulpiride Request Form
Turnaround Time
Results are available within 5 working days of receipt in the laboratory.
Price
Price available on application - please contact adrianturner1@nhs.net. Discounts could be available for significant workloads.
Contacts
Clinical Advice & Interpretation
Dr Bob Flanagan
E robert.flanagan@nhs.net
T 020 3299 5881
F 020 3299 5888
Laboratory
Simon Handley
T 020 3299 5883
F 020 3299 5888
