Ziprasidone-Induced Galactorrhea in an Adolescent Female: A Case Report
To the Editor: Prolactin is a lactogenic hormone, and its release is tonically inhibited by hypothalamic dopamine. Dopamine-2 (D2) receptor blockage in the tuberoinfundibular pathway releases prolactin.1 Second-generation neuroleptics are not particularly associated with hyperprolactinemia. With the exception of risperidone,2 it is assumed that hyperprolactinemia with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) is rare and transient.3-5 The rise in serum prolactin is directly associated with the degree of dopamine receptor blockage.6 Ziprasidone is considered to be a weak blocker of the D2 receptor.7 Significant prolactin elevation was not reported as being associated with ziprasidone use.8 To our knowledge, there are at least 5 case reports of ziprasidone-induced galactorrhea in the literature.9-13 Chronic elevation in prolactin in females can lead to loss of libido, galactorrhea, gynecomastia, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, disturbance of normal ovarian cycle, or increased risk of chronic osteoporosis.
Case report. Ms A, a 16-year-old African American girl, has a history of neglect; sexual, physical, and emotional abuse; and multiple losses. She presented in 2009 with multidimensional symptomatology, which included attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like symptoms (hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention); posttraumatic stress disorder-like symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, numbing, avoidance, and sexually acting out behavior); psychotic symptoms (auditory hallucinations, eg, "voices asking me to do bad stuff"; paranoia, ie, "people are gossiping about me"); bipolar spectrum symptoms (eg, rapid mood swings, anger control issues, impulsivity, and decreased sleep); and oppositional defiant behavior.
There was no past history of illicit substance abuse or alcohol drinking. She has a longstanding history of self-mutilating behavior (cutting her wrists) and overdosing on pills, which required multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, including long-term placement in a residential treatment facility. Prior to her current hospitalization, she had been treated with divalproex, quetiapine, and fluoxetine. During the hospitalization, she was started on ziprasidone 80 mg bid and divalproex 500 mg po twice daily was continued. Two weeks after ziprasidone treatment began, she developed galactorrhea and her blood prolactin level was 68.6 ng/mL (laboratory reference value, 1.40-24.20 ng/mL). Ziprasidone was discontinued and aripiprazole 2 mg/d was started. Three weeks later, galactorrhea had stopped and her serum prolactin level was within the normal range. She had no medical condition that could explain the elevated prolactin and galactorrhea levels. Some other known causes of galactorrhea were excluded, eg, chronic renal failure, pregnancy and lactation, and primary hypothyroidism. On a mental status examination, she reported a dysphoric mood and her affect was mood congruent. She had clear speech and had no suicidal or homicidal ideation. There were no hallucinations, but she reported paranoid ideations.
Among atypical antipsychotics, ziprasidone has the highest serotonin (5-HT) receptor-dopamine receptor (5-HT2A/D2, 5-HT2C/D2, and 5-HT1A/D2) affinity ratios. Although ziprasidone is a weaker blocker of D2 receptors than conventional antipsychotics, ziprasidone-induced symptomatic hyperprolactinemia has been reported in literature.9-13 At a dose of 120 mg/d, 60% D2 receptor occupancy was obtained.14 Patients with the DRD2A1 allele had a 40% higher level of prolactin as compared to patients without this allele.15
Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia is not an uncommon condition, but it remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. In conclusion, physicians should routinely inquire about symptoms of hyperprolactinemia, eg, galactorrhea, gynecomastia, menstrual irregularities, and sexual dysfunction, in patients taking neuroleptics. If not treated, these symptoms could lead to noncompliance. Prolactin level can be elevated even in the absence of galactorrhea.
References
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Author affiliations: Department of Psychiatry, University of South Alabama, Mobile.
Potential conflicts of interest: None reported.
Funding/support: None reported.
Published online: June 3, 2010 (doi:10.4088/PCC.09l00855gry).
Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2010;12(3):e1
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