Low-dose risperidone augmentation of antidepressants or anxiolytics is associated with hyperprolactinemia.
OBJECTIVE
Risperidone in antipsychotic doses induces hyperprolactinemia. The aim of this study was to verify whether the same is true for low doses of risperidone (0.5-2 mg per day) added to antidepressants or anxiolytics.


METHODS
Prolactin levels were measured in 4 men (mean age 49.5+/-19.1 years) and 8 women (mean age 31.3+/-8.2 years) inpatients with depressive and anxiety disorders who were treated with risperidone (median doses per day 1.25 mg) for median 15.5 days as an augmentation treatment to antidepressants (n=8), anxiolytics (n=6) and mood stabilizers (n=2).


RESULTS
11 of 12 patients had hyperprolactinemia. Median plasma prolactin level was 1598 mIU/ml, 95% CI 1 040-2 661 mIU/ml. Significant correlation between risperidone daily dose and plasma prolactin level (Spearman's R=0.655, p=0.02) was detected. Two women suffered from galactorrhea and one from amenorrhea.


CONCLUSIONS
Even low doses of risperidone used as an augmentation to antidepressants or benzodiazepines are associated with hyperprolactinemia and can induce endocrinological side effects. The co-medication of antidepressants and benzodiazepines can potentially increase intensity of prolactinemia.
Kopecek
Miloslav
M
Prague Psychiatric Centre, 3rd Medical Faculty Prague - Charles University, Centre of Neuropsychiatric Studies in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic. kopecek@pcp.lf3.cuni.cz
Bares
Martin
M
Horacek
Jirí
J
Mohr
Pavel
P
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D011388:Prolactin; D018967:Risperidone