Using aripiprazole to resolve antipsychotic-induced symptomatic hyperprolactinemia: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of substituting aripiprazole for other antipsychotic drugs taken by stable schizophrenic patients suffering from antipsychotic agent-induced symptomatic hyperprolactinemia.

METHODS

Seven female schizophrenic patients with symptomatic hyperprolactinemia (167.6+/-58.0 microg/L) were recruited to take part in an 8-week open label trial of aripiprazole (10-20 mg/day) as a replacement for amisulpride or risperidone. Efficacy was assessed via PANSS and CGI-I scores. Serum prolactin levels were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Data were collected from November, 2004 to May, 2005.

RESULTS

At the end of weeks 4, serum prolactin levels were normalized (8.8+/-5.5 microg/L) and hyperprolactinemic symptoms were resolved in all patients. However, aripiprazole treatment was discontinued within 6 weeks for 2 of the 7 subjects due to aggravated auditory hallucinations.

CONCLUSION

Results from this admittedly small-scale open-label study indicate that switching to aripiprazole may be useful for resolving antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and associated symptoms.