International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Patients with intellectual disabilities may be treated with antipsychotic medications for a variety of diagnoses. Use of this category of medication can increase prolactin levels and place the patient at risk for sexual dysfunction and lower bone mineral density. The proposed mechanism of action is affinity for the dopamine receptor. Use of bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor antagonist, was proposed to attenuate hyperprolactinemia.\r\n
The objectives of this study were to (1) review serum prolactin (PRL) elevations associated with the use of antipsychotic (AP) medications in an intellectually disabled adult population and (2) determine if any association existed between the level of elevation and AP used.
Medical records for adult patients at two Oklahoma facilities for the intellectually disabled were reviewed to evaluate prolactin levels for individuals prescribed antipsychotics. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between prolactin levels with intellectual disability level, bromocriptine use, demographics, and antipsychotic.
73 (n = 53 males, n = 20 females) patients met criteria. The average age was 41.2 years. Nearly 70% of the patients had severe to profound levels of disability. 77% were prescribed second generation antipsychotics; 19% received first generation agents. Two variables, gender and bromocriptine use, were found to be significant predictors of prolactin levels. Mean prolactin level for females was 44 ng/mL (normal range: 4-30 ng/mL, males = 4-23 ng/mL). Patients who did not receive bromocriptine had mean levels of 23 ng/mL. No significant difference in prolactin levels was found for type of AP.
Mean prolactin levels for females were significantly higher than for males. Both sexes were found to have higher-than-normal levels. Use of bromocriptine was associated with higher prolactin levels. In this population of patients, the type of AP used had no significance on prolactin levels.
© 2012, Author(s). This open-access article is available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which allows for unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the original work is properly cited.
Asadi S, Hajiakhundi F, Mirfazeli FS, Mohammadsadeghi H. Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Presented with Acute Psychotic Symptoms: A Case Report. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2021;15(2):e95532. doi: https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs.95532
Darvishi H, Rezaei M. Effects of Risperidone in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Study. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2026;20(1):e163853. doi: https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs-163853
Ahmadkhaniha H, Bani-Hashem S, Ahmadzad-Asl M. Depot Typical Antipsychotics versus Oral Atypical Antipsychotics in Relapse Rate Among Patients with Schizophrenia: A Five -Year Historical Cohort Study. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2014;8(1):. doi:
Samiei M, Vahidi M, Rezaee O, Yaraghchi A, Daneshmand R. Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis and Treatment With Haloperidol and Risperidone: A Pilot Study. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2016;10(3):e7988. doi: https://doi.org/10.17795/ijpbs-7988
Abdolahian E, Mohareri F, Fayyazi Bordbar MR. Haloperidol Versus Risperidone: A Comparison of Beneficial Effect on Cognitive Function of Patients With Chronic Schizophrenia. Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. 2008;2(1):. doi:
Ordering Reprints
Articles are published under the Creative Commons license stated on each article. No permission or royalty fee is required for uses permitted by that license. CCC handles optional bulk and customized reprint orders. Any quotation covers production and delivery services only, not copyright permission. > Request Reprints from CCC
Author(s):
