Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced galactorrhea with hyperprolactinemia

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neuropharmacology
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• Galactorrhea in nonpregnant, childbearing-aged women is associated with diverse pathologies.
• While psychotropic medication use is a known cause, antidepressant-associated galactorrhea is less common than with antipsychotics.
• Previous reports often involved combined antidepressant use or normal prolactin levels with paroxetine and fluvoxamine.

Observation:

• This report details three cases of galactorrhea in women of childbearing age.
• One case involved the single use of paroxetine.
• Two cases involved the use of fluvoxamine.

Findings:

• All three reported cases exhibited elevated serum prolactin levels.
• This contrasts with prior reports of normal prolactin levels for paroxetine and fluvoxamine-induced galactorrhea.
• Single-drug use of paroxetine and fluvoxamine was implicated.

Implications:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like paroxetine and fluvoxamine may cause hyperprolactinemia.
• Clinicians should consider SSRI-induced hyperprolactinemia in nonpregnant women presenting with galactorrhea.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and prevalence of antidepressant-induced galactorrhea.