Amisulpride-induced hyperprolactinemia is reversible following discontinuation.
BACKGROUND
Although amisulpride is considered to be a prolactin-raising atypical antipsychotic drug, a limited number of studies have documented the extent of its prolactin-elevating properties. In the present study the effect of amisulpride on plasma levels of prolactin and the reversibility of this untoward side effect were investigated.


METHODS
17 patients with various diagnoses received amisulpride (50-800 mg/day) or a combination of amisulpride plus other medication as needed. Plasma prolactin was determined 26.7+/-9.4 days (range: 13-50 days) after initiation of treatment and in 3 cases after a much longer period, and 14-51 days following its withdrawal.


RESULTS
All patients on amisulpride had hyperprolactinemia (mean+/-S.D. prolactin levels: 62.5+/-33.0 ng/ml) with females exhibiting considerably higher prolactin levels than males. Following amisulpride discontinuation prolactin levels were significantly (p<000) reduced (mean+/-S.D. prolactin levels: 12.3+/-6.7 ng/ml). No significant correlation was detected between prolactin levels and either amisulpride dosage or duration of administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Amisulpride has a pronounced prolactin-elevating effect which appears to be independent of dosage and duration of administration. Hyperprolactinemia rapidly reverses following amisulpride discontinuation.
Paparrigopoulos
Thomas
T
Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, 74, Vas. Sofias Ave. 115 28 Athens, Greece. Thomas.Paparrigopoulos@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Liappas
John
J
Tzavellas
Elias
E
Mourikis
Iraklis
I
Soldatos
Constantin
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D011388:Prolactin