AMISULPRIDE IN PSYCHOGENIC POLYDIPSIA

Dr. Ruchi Singh*, Dr. Rashmin Cholera and Dr. Sanjiv Kale

ABSTRACT

Psychogenic Polydipsia which comprises of episodic life-threatening water intoxication, remains an important clinical dilemma for a significant number of patients with schizophrenia. The condition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from a number of causes. Recognition and management of this condition is difficult, as patients are uncooperative and secretive about their water intake. Nonetheless, it is important and critical to address it in lieu of the associated complications. Antipsychotics have also been used in the treatment of polydipsia; however, their role is not clear, as there are reports of antipsychotics both improving and, paradoxically, causing polydipsia in certain patients. Typical antipsychotics have been associated with exacerbation of polydipsia, whereas clozapine has been associated with improvement. Here, we present a case of schizophrenia with psychogenic polydipsia and resultant hyponatremia which did not respond to treatment with clozapine, which is the preferred drug in the given condition, but it improved rather well with the second generation antipsychotic, amisulpride.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Psychogenic Polydipsia, Hyponatremia, Clozapine, Amisulpride.