The pharmacology of sulpiride--a dopamine receptor antagonist.

1. The clinical and experimental pharmacology of sulpiride, its effects on the CNS, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system have been reviewed. 2. The majority of its actions are attributable to blockade of dopamine receptors. 3. Although sulpiride has a high affinity for dopamine receptors involved in emesis and prolactin secretion, it lacks part of the behavioural and biochemical profiles of the classical dopamine receptor antagonist neuroleptics. 4. In the cardiovascular system, sulpiride is a potent prejunctional dopamine receptor antagonist but has variable effectiveness in postjunctional dopamine receptor models. 5. These properties are discussed with reference to the mechanisms of action of sulpiride and the classification of dopamine receptors.