The effect of thioridazine on prolactinoma growth in a schizophrenic man: case report

Thioridazine was found to increase the serum prolactin level as well as the tumor size of a prolactin--secreting pituitary chromophobe adenoma in a schizophrenic man. He was then successfully treated with clonidine, an antinoradrenergic compound without antidopaminergic properties, which had no effect on serum prolactin or tumor growth. This case report highlights the importance of careful neuroleptic usage in patients in whom elevated prolactin levels are of concern and discusses alternative methods of treating psychosis when antidopaminergic medications are contraindicated.