Abstract
Objectives. The aim of the paper was to review management methods in hyperprolactinemia resulting from antipsychotic medication.
Review. The onset ofclinical symptoms suggesting prolactinemia in a patient receiving antipsychotic medication requires a detailed diagnostic procedure in order to either confirm or exclude a relationship between these symptoms and antipsychotic treatment. The next step involves a reduction antipsychotic medication dose, introduction of corrective treatment with dopamine agonists, or the antipsychotic drug replacement with another one that would not affectprolactine secretion significantly. Doubts associated with each of these methods are discussed.
Conclusions. Hyperprolactinemia is an often neglected side effect of antipsychotic treatment. It may lead to a severe health impairment as well as to a withdrawal of the patient's co-operation. Some findings indicate that in cases in which the treatment modification involves a risk of aggravation of the patient's condition, an attempt at administration of dopamine agonists may lead to normalization ofprolactine concentrations without any aggravation of psychotic symptoms.