The Annals Summaries of the Latest Medical Research!
home help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 206-208. DOI 10.1345/aph.1C210
© 2003 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
This Article
Right arrow Résumé Freely available
Right arrow Extracto Freely available
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow PDF
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Articles Ahead of Print
Right arrow [Order Reprint]
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kunwar, A. R.
Right arrow Articles by Megna, J. L
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kunwar, A. R.
Right arrow Articles by Megna, J. L

Resolution of Risperidone-Induced Hyperprolactinemia with Substitution of Quetiapine

Arun Raj Kunwar, MD

Resident, Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY

James L Megna, MD PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry; Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University; Member, Pfizer Speakers Bureau

Reprints: James L Megna MD PhD, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210-1834, FAX 315/464-9101, E-mail megnaj{at}upstate.edu

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia that was successfully managed with quetiapine.

CASE SUMMARY: A 30-year-old white woman with schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, and comorbid alcohol and cocaine abuse was treated successfully for her psychotic symptoms with risperidone until she developed adverse effects consistent with hyperprolactinemia. This was confirmed by laboratory blood tests, as her prolactin level was 186.9 ng/mL (normal for nonpregnant women 2.8–29.2). The woman had experienced similar effects in the past, which had led to noncompliance and subsequent psychotic relapse. Normalization of prolactin levels and associated adverse effects were achieved upon switching to quetiapine. No psychotic symptoms reoccurred.

DISCUSSION: Dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor blockade in the mesolimbic tract is thought to mediate the therapeutic effects of antipsychotics. This action in the tuberoinfundibular system produces prolactin level elevation. Risperidone has a relatively higher affinity for the D2 receptor in comparison with other atypical antipsychotics, which may explain why it is associated with a higher incidence of hyperprolactinemia. Quetiapine, which has one of the lowest D2 receptor affinities, is not known to increase prolactin levels to any significant degree. This pharmacologic property allows quetiapine to be a reasonable treatment option for patients who develop risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia.

CONCLUSIONS: Quetiapine may be a suitable substitute when a patient taking risperidone develops hyperprolactinemia.

Key Words: hyperprolactinemia, quetiapine, risperidone

Published Online, December 30, 2002. www.theannals.com, DOI


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 AM J ALZHEIMERS DIS OTHER DEMENHome page
S. Madhusoodanan and O. Bogunovic
Switching Elderly Patients With Dementia From Risperidone to Quetiapine: A Retrospective Study
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, May 1, 2006; 21(3): 169 - 174.
[Abstract] [PDF]


homecopy help contact us subscription past issues search current issue
Copyright © 2003 by Harvey Whitney Books Company.