Is Amisulpride Injection addictive?
Last updated September 7, 2026.
No, amisulpride injection is not addictive and is not a controlled substance in the United States. In the US it is approved as Barhemsys, given through an IV to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting around surgery, usually as a single dose while you are still in the hospital or surgery center. It blocks dopamine receptors in the part of the brain that triggers vomiting, and it does not produce a high, cravings, or a withdrawal syndrome when it stops. Because treatment is so short, tolerance and dose escalation are not concerns either. The issues worth watching are different ones: it can lengthen the QT interval on an ECG, so your team needs to know about heart rhythm problems, low potassium or magnesium, kidney disease, and every other medicine you take. Confusing it with long term oral amisulpride used in some countries for psychosis is common, and even that oral form is not addictive, though it should never be stopped abruptly without medical advice.
What to do
- Separate the two forms: The US injection is a single dose antinausea drug, while oral amisulpride used elsewhere for psychosis is a different, ongoing treatment.
- Share your full med list: Report every prescription, over the counter drug, and supplement before surgery, especially anything that affects heart rhythm.
- Flag heart and kidney history: Tell your anesthesia team about long QT syndrome, arrhythmias, heart failure, or reduced kidney function before the dose is given.
- Check your electrolytes: Low potassium or magnesium raises QT risk, so mention diuretics, ongoing vomiting, or diarrhea that could deplete them.
- Watch after discharge: Get urgent care for fainting, a racing or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness with fever, or new uncontrolled movements.
- Ask when nausea persists: If vomiting continues after surgery, contact your surgical team rather than seeking a repeat dose on your own.
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