Adjunctive aripiprazole in risperidone-induced hyperprolactinaemia: double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Raghuthaman, G., Venkateswaran, R. and Krishnadas, R. (2015) Adjunctive aripiprazole in risperidone-induced hyperprolactinaemia: double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. BJPsych Open, 1(2), pp. 172-177. (doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.115.001248) (PMID:27703744) (PMCID:PMC4998932)

Abstract

Background: Hyperprolactinaemia is a troublesome side-effect of treatment with antipsychotics. Aims: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study aimed at examining the effect of adjunctive treatment with 10 mg aripiprazole on prolactin levels and sexual side-effects in patients with schizophrenia symptomatically maintained on risperidone. Method: Thirty patients taking risperidone were enrolled into the trial (CTRI/2012/11/003114). Aripiprazole was administered at a fixed daily dose of 10 mg/day for 8 weeks. Serum prolactin was measured at baseline and at 8 weeks. Hyperprolactinaemia-related problems, psychopathology and side-effects were evaluated every 2 weeks. Results: Prolactin levels decreased by 58% in the aripiprazole group compared with an increase by 22% in the placebo group. Prolactin levels normalised in 46% of patients in the aripiprazole group (number needed to treat, NNT=2). Aripiprazole improved erectile dysfunction in five out of six patients. There were no significant differences in change in psychopathology or side-effects between groups. Conclusions: Adjunctive aripiprazole reduced prolactin levels in those treated with risperidone, with no effect on psychopathology and extrapyramidal symptoms. This is a potential treatment for hyperprolactinaemia observed during treatment with second-generation antipsychotics.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Krishnadas, Dr Rajeev
• Authors: Raghuthaman, G., Venkateswaran, R., and Krishnadas, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: BJPsych Open
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• ISSN: 2056-4724
• ISSN (Online): 2056-4724
• Published Online: 02 January 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
• First Published: First published in BJPsych Open 1(2): 172-177
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License