title: Treatment of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia: an update on the role of the dopaminergic receptors D2 partial agonist aripiprazole.
abstract: Hyperprolactinemia is an unwanted adverse effect present in several typical and atypical antipsychotics. Aripiprazole is a drug with partial agonist activity at the level of dopamine receptors D2, which may be effective for antipsychotic- induced hyperprolactinemia. Therefore, we analyzed the literature concerning the treatment of antipsychoticinduced hyperprolactinemia with aripiprazole by updating a previous paper written on the same topic. More recent studies were reviewed. They showed that there are two options for the treatment of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia with aripiprazole. The safest strategy may require the addition of aripiprazole to ongoing treatments, in the case patients had previously responded to antipsychotic drugs and then developed hyperprolactinemia. However, it is advisable to monitor the patients in case relapses and/or side effect, although rare, might occur. Switching drugs should be considered when a patient does not appear to be responding to the previous antipsychotic, thus developing hyperprolactinemia. A cross-taper switch should always be considered, but the risk of a relapse in the disorder may occur more frequently and the patients should be closely monitored. However, limitations must be considered and further studies are needed to definitely elucidate this important issue. Some relevant patents are also described in this review.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Berardis
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fornaro
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Serroni
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piersanti
authors.forename: Marilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavuto
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valchera
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Girinelli
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iasevoli
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martinotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital "G. Mazzini", ASL 4, p.zza Italia 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy. dodebera@aliceposta.it.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Giannantonio
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D054333:Drug Partial Agonism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010330:Patents as Topic; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000819:agonists*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; C581293:DRD2 protein, human; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D000068180:Aripiprazole