Antipsychotic induced hyperprolactinaemia: a series of illustrative case reports

Hyperprolactinaemia is a common side-effect of many antipsychotic drugs but, in comparison to extrapyramidal side-effects, it has received little attention. Four case reports are presented which illustrate important clinical and pharmacological aspects of the syndrome. Two of the cases were caused by conventional antipsychotic drugs and two by risperidone, an atypical antipsychotic. Symptoms included gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, amenorrhoea and sexual dysfunction. Three patients were switched to a prolactin sparing antipsychotic leading to normalization of serum prolactin and resolution of the symptoms. Patients prescribed prolactin elevating antipsychotics should, where possible, have this issue explained to them prior to commencing treatment and be screened for symptoms suggestive of hyperprolactinaemia before starting treatment and regularly thereafter.