Co-medication with psychotropic drugs, including antipsychotic drugs, and bromocriptine: changes in clinical signs of hyperprolactinaemia and prolactin level

The aim of this study was to assess changes in clinical symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia and serum prolactin level in female patients treated concomitantly with psychotropic drugs (including antipsychotics) and bromocriptine. Method: Twenty-five patients under antipsychotic medication were included, thereof 13 receiving also other psychotropic drugs. The patients’ mean age was 25.56 years. Prior to inclusion in the study, all patients were mentally stable for at least one month and presented clinical signs of hyperprolactinaemia (dysmenorrhoea, galactorrhoea) confirmed by laboratory tests (elevated serum prolactin level, abnormal result of metoclopramide test). The patients were treated with bromocriptine for 3 months (1.25-8.75 mg/d). Clinical signs of hyperprolactinaemia, prolactin level and mental state were assessed after 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 and 3 months of treatment. Results: The study revealed significant decrease of prolactin level at every time-point (p<0.001 after 3 months). There was also a significant reduction of severity of dysmenorrhoea (p<0.05 after 2 months and p<0.01 after 3 months). In the entire group a trend towards lower incidence of galactorrhoea was noticed, although no clinically meaningful reduction in severity of galactorrhoea was seen at the end of the study (p=0.063). Conclusion: Concomitant administration of psychotropic drugs (including antipsychotics) and bromocriptine results in a significant decrease of serum prolactin level and reduced severity of dysmenorrhoea.