Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T10:30:12.208Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Treatment of psychotropic-induced hyperprolactinaemia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Denise Duncan
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ
David Taylor
Affiliation:
The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Prolactin, a protein hormone synthesised and released by the anterior pituitary, promotes mammary tissue development and lactation and suppresses gonadotrophin secretion. Dopamine is the natural inhibitor of prolactin release and so standard antipsychotics, which block dopamine receptors, will cause prolactin levels to rise. This hyperprolactinaemia can lead to gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, menstrual disturbances, a reduction in sperm count, erectile dysfunction, failure of ejaculation and reduced libido. Prolactin-related adverse effects are frequently encountered in patients on antipsychotics and are a cause of substantial morbidity.

Type
Drug Information Quarterly
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995

References

Beumont, P., Bruwer, J., Pimstone, , et al (1975) Bromergocryptine in the treatment of phenothiazine-induced galactorrhoea. British Journal of Psychiatry, 126, 285288.Google Scholar
Borison, R. L. (1979) Amantadine-induced psychosis in a geriatric patient with renal disease. American Journal of Psychiatry, 136, 111112.Google Scholar
Correa, N., Opler, L. A., Kay, S. R., et al (1987) Amantadine in the treatment of neuroendocrine side effects of neuroleptics. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 7(2), 9195.Google Scholar
Marken, P. A., Haykal, R. F. & Fisher, J. N. (1992) Management of psychotropic-induced hyperprolactinemia. Clinical Pharmacy, 11, 851855.Google Scholar
Rego, M. D. & Giller, E. L. (1989) Mania secondary to amantadine treatment of neuroleptic-induced hyperprolactinemia. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 50(4), 143144.Google Scholar
Shenoy, R. S., Ettigi, P. & Johnson, C. H. (1983) Bromocriptine in the treatment of galactorrhea caused by haloperidol: A case study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 3(3), 187188.Google Scholar
Siever, L. J. (1981) The effect of amantadine on prolactin levels and galactorrhea on neuroleptic-treated patients. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 1(1), 27.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.