title: Use of the dopamine agonists bromocriptine and cabergoline in the management of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in patients with psychotic disorders.
abstract: Risperidone is a novel antipsychotic agent that blocks both dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors. In several reports, clinically significant hyperprolactinemia has been reported in patients on this agent. However, the optimal management of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia has not been clarified. We reviewed the records of 5 patients with psychotic disorders who were evaluated for risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia. There were 4 females and 1 male patient, aged 30-45 yr. All patients had significant hyperprolactinemia, with prolactin (PRL) levels ranging from 65.5 to 209 microg/l. All but 1 of these patients had manifestations of hypogonadism. In these 4 patients, risperidone therapy was continued and the dopamine agonists bromocriptine or cabergoline were added. In 3 out of 4 patients, such additional therapy reduced the PRL level and alleviated hypogonadism. None of the patients treated with these agents had a worsening of psychosis. We conclude that risperidone can cause clinically significant hyperprolactinemia in patients treated with this drug. If risperidone therapy must be continued in such patients, addition of the dopamine agonists bromocriptine or cabergoline may successfully alleviate hyperprolactinemia and the associated manifestations without worsening psychotic symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Winthrop University Hospital and the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine, Mineola, USA. srtollin@aol.com
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Tollin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077465:Cabergoline; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004873:Ergolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin; D018967:Risperidone; D000077465:Cabergoline