Effects of Bromocriptine on Neuroleptic‐Induced Amenorrhea, Galactorrhea and Impotence

Abstract

The effects of bromocriptine on neuroleptic‐induced endocrinological disturbances (amenorrhea, galactorrhea and impotence) were investigated. Bromocriptine (5.0‐7.5 mg/day) was administered to psychiatric patients receiving neuroleptics and developing hyperprolactinemia. The following results were obtained. 1. Menses recurred in 7 of 10 patients with amenorrhea. 2. A decrease in lactation appeared in 5 of 6 patients with galactorrhea. 3. A significant increase in the serum levels of testosterone was observed after 8 weeks of the treatment in male patients. (N = 6) 4. There was no remarkable deterioration in regard to the psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic patients. (N = 7) 5. In non‐schizophrenic patients (N = 9), a significant improvement was observed in regard to “somatic concern” (in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale).

A systematic review on clinical management of antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction in schizophrenia

“…Dopamine agonists such as bromocriptine and cabergoline may be successful in reducing the level of hyperprolactinemia and alleviating symptoms in some patients. 15 Previous studies 14 have shown that modest doses of bromocriptine may be safely prescribed to patients taking older fi rst-generation agents, and who have symptomatic hyperprolactinemia without exacerbating psychosis.…”

“…30 A description of the main drugs, respective doses, potential drug interactions and side effects can be found in Table 2. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]23,24,27,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38] DISCUSSION Sexual performance among patients with schizophrenia may differ from the qualitative and quantitative patterns in the normal population. It may be altered through three main factors: by the disease itself as a consequence of affective and/or cognitive impairment; by antipsychotic drugs; and by other clinical problems (such as diabetes, hypertension, alcohol and drug abuse).…”

“…All of them were short-term and had small sample sizes, as shown in Table 1. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Bromocriptine was involved in the treatment of these dysfunctions in two studies, sildenafi l in four, amantadine in two and cyproheptadine, imipramine, shakuyaku-kanzo-to, cabergoline and selegiline in one each.…”

Strategies for the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Sexual Dysfunction and/or Hyperprolactinemia Among Patients of the Schizophrenia Spectrum: A Review

“…Adjunctive or switch to aripiprazole had satisfactory response in the following studies: Byerly et al, 2009;Chen et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2006;Lu et al, 2008;Mir et al, 2008;Shim et al, 2007;and Yasui-Furukori et al, 2010. There are few open labels that studied bromocriptine in sexual dysfunction and/or hyperprolactinemia (Beau & Guillard, 1980;Matsuoka, Nakai, Miyake, Hirai, & Ikawa, 1986) and all had satisfactory results, but small sample sizes. Further evidence is needed to confirm these findings.…”

Hyperprolactinaemia – Differential Diagnosis, Investigation and Management

“…68 Dopamine agonists are sometimes used, although there are reports that these agents can precipitate psychosis in predisposed patients. [69][70][71][72][73] In subjects not seeking fertility, sex steroid replacement in the form of oestrogen (or testosterone in males) may be appropriate, particularly for women of pre-menopausal age with amenorrhoea. 26 If the patient is largely asymptomatic, no specific treatment may be necessary.…”