Aripiprazole-Associated Hypoprolactinemia in the Clinical Setting.
BACKGROUND
The increase in prolactin (PRL) levels is a common adverse effect that occurs when using conventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs. Aripiprazole (ARI) is beneficial for antipsychotic-associated hyperprolactinemia but has been reported to decrease PRL secretion. Therefore, we investigated blood levels of PRL in patients who had taken ARI alone or in combination with other antipsychotics.


METHODS
Retrospective information was obtained from 25 psychiatric patients who were prescribed ARI, and the blood levels of PRL were measured.


RESULTS
The incidence of hypoprolactinemia in the current study was 44.0% (11/25). Eighteen patients were treated with ARI alone and 7 received ARI in combination with other antipsychotics. The PRL value of patients who took ARI alone was significantly lower than those who were also taking other antipsychotics (5.45 ± 3.93 vs 10.85 ± 5.53, P = 0.02; mean ± SD). There was no significant correlation of the PRL levels and dose of ARI used in the 18 patients who had taken ARI alone.


CONCLUSIONS
This was a retrospective study, and the data were obtained from a small number of psychiatric patients treated with ARI.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring of PRL levels in patients treated with ARI may be useful in minimizing hypoprolactinemia, which has the potential to negatively impact patients. In particular, hypoprolactinemia as a consequence of taking ARI should be discussed with patients of childbearing age and those with immune deficiencies.
From the *Department of Pharmacy, Saga University Hospital; and †Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.
Rintaro
R
Sogawa
Yuki
Y
Shimomura
Chikako
C
Minami
Joji
J
Maruo
Yutaka
Y
Kunitake
Yoshito
Y
Mizoguchi
Toshiro
T
Kawashima
Akira
A
Monji
Hideo
H
Hara
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068180:Aripiprazole / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D011388:Prolactin