How it worksSafetyHealth libraryOur mission Sign in Start a free consult
Pymander
Free consult

Is Amisulpride Injection addictive?

Updated Sep 7, 20262 min readAnswer
On this pageShort answer Amisulpride and dependence: what to know Common questions Related questions Sources
Short answer

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.

Is Amisulpride Injection addictive? Ask our AI doctor - a straight answer in plain language, free, 24/7. Start a free consult Free · Private · 24/7
Find answers about amisulpride injectionStart a free AI doctor consult

Amisulpride and dependence: what to know

1Separate the two forms:The US injection is a single dose antinausea drug, while oral amisulpride used elsewhere for psychosis is a different, ongoing treatment.
2Share your full med list:Report every prescription, over the counter drug, and supplement before surgery, especially anything that affects heart rhythm.
3Flag heart and kidney history:Tell your anesthesia team about long QT syndrome, arrhythmias, heart failure, or reduced kidney function before the dose is given.
4Check your electrolytes:Low potassium or magnesium raises QT risk, so mention diuretics, ongoing vomiting, or diarrhea that could deplete them.
5Watch after discharge:Get urgent care for fainting, a racing or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness with fever, or new uncontrolled movements.
6Ask when nausea persists:If vomiting continues after surgery, contact your surgical team rather than seeking a repeat dose on your own.

Common questions

Is Amisulpride Injection addictive?

No. Amisulpride injection (Barhemsys in the US) is not a controlled substance and does not cause addiction. It is a dopamine antagonist given through an IV to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting after surgery, usually as one dose during your hospital or surgery center visit. It does not produce a high, and people do not develop cravings or withdrawal after it. Since treatment lasts a day at most, tolerance is not an issue. Reported effects include chills, low potassium, and infusion site pain. Tell your care team about heart rhythm problems, kidney disease, or Parkinson disease, since amisulpride can affect the QT interval and dopamine blockers can worsen Parkinson symptoms.

About this page. Written and maintained by the Pymander Health team. Last updated September 7, 2026.

Questions about this?Start a free consult