Normalization of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia with the addition of aripiprazole

The objective of this study was to monitor metabolic changes, including hyperprolactinemia, in adolescents medicated with atypical antipsychotics, especially when polypharmacy is involved. This study specifically followed risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia in adolescents (14 male patients and 2 female patients) after aripiprazole was added to begin transitioning to another atypical antipsychotic. No other changes were made in the medication regimen. Risperidone was continued at the previous dose during the transition. This sample consists of 16 adolescents, 13 to 18 years old, treated in long-term residential care for behavior problems. Diagnoses included bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In retrospective chart review, all 16 of the adolescents (100%) experienced complete normalization of prolactin levels. Thirteen of the adolescents had normal prolactin levels within two weeks and the other three normalized within three months of the addition of aripiprazole while still on risperidone and other previous medications at the original doses. The authors concluded the addition of aripiprazole rapidly normalizes risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia.