Resolution of Amisulpride associated Amenorrhea by Switching to Aripiprazole

Case Report

Psychiatry Investigation 2006;3(1):102-6.

Bun-Hee Lee, MD; and Yong-Ku Kim, MD

Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea

Abstract

Objective

:
TTo report a 4-case series in which amisulpride-induced symptomatic hyperprolactinemia was resolved by switching to aripiprazole.

Case Reports:
Four female patients developed symptomatic hyperprolactinemia such as amenorrhea and/or galactorrhea with elevated serum prolactin levels (113.7-230.0 ng/mL) after taking amisulpride (200-800 mg/day). To resolve the problem of symptomatic hyperprolactinemia, reducing the dosage of amisulpride was first tried, however this approach turned out to have no effect. Subsequently, all 4 patients were switched from amisulpride to aripiprazole (10-20 mg/day), upon which their regular menstrual cycles returned and galactorrhea improved, with the normalization of their serum prolactin levels (6.5 15.0 ng/mL) within 4 weeks after switching.

Conclusion

Switching to aripiprazole, a partial dopamine agonist, is an effective strategy for the resolution of antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and associated adverse effects.

Key words Prolactin;Amisulpride;Amenorrhea;Galactorrhea;Aripiprazole.