OBJECTIVE To explore the sources of highly individual variation in amisulpride plasma concentrations to guide individualized clinical treatment.

METHODS The keywords were searched from PubMed database, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang database. The included literature was assessed for the quality evaluation system of literature using the 2011-OCEBM Levels of Evidence, and the factors influencing plasma concentration of amisulpride was analyzed.

RESULTS The 49 studies on the plasma concentration of amisulpride were included. The combined results of 33 studies suggest a positive correlation between daily dose and drug plasma concentrations. A total of 41%(9/22) studies suggested potential effects of different combinations of medications(3 lithium, 2 clozapine, 1 valproic acid, 3 other), 25%(3/12) studies suggested that women were higher than men, 69%(9/13) studies showed an increase with age, 2 studies on body mass index had opposite results and 2 studies suggested positive correlation between serum creatinine and drug plasma concentration. Finally, 9 studies suggested the potential impact of drug transporters and their genetic polymorphisms.

CONCLUSION In order to ensure the safety and efficacy of amisulpride in clinical applications, individualized dosage adjustment can be performed for special populations according to gender, age and creatinine clearance. Furthermore, future research should focus on drug transporters and gene polymorphisms specific to Chinese populations to validate the effect on the plasma concentration of amisulpride.