Dose requirement and prolactin elevation of antipsychotics in male and female patients with schizophrenia or related psychoses.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the prolactin (PRL) secretion and the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) axis in relation to gender and side-effects and dose of antipsychotic drugs during long-term treatment.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients (21 men and 26 women), diagnosed with schizophrenia or related psychoses according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria and treated with different classical antipsychotics, were studied. Prolactin, GH and IGF-I were measured, as well as the serum concentration of the antipsychotics. In addition, body mass index (BMI) was calculated.


RESULTS
The median daily, as well as the median body weight, adjusted daily dose of antipsychotic drugs was twofold higher in male compared with female patients. Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinaemia was more frequent and occurred at a lower daily dose of antipsychotics in women. Irrespective of sex, more than half of the patients had elevated BMI. Two patients had a slight increment in IGF-I levels, whereas the GH concentration, as assessed on a single occasion, was normal in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients on long-term antipsychotic therapy, with doses adjusted according to therapeutic efficiency, exhibited hyperprolactinaemia and elevated BMI, but no obvious influence on the GH-IGF-I axis. Furthermore, it appeared that the males required twice the dose of antipsychotic compared with females.
Melkersson
K I
KI
Department of Psychiatry, St. Görans Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hulting
A L
AL
Rane
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone