Background: Although amisulpride is considered to be a prolactin-raising atypical antipsychotic drug, a limited number of studies have documented the extent of its prolactin-elevating properties. In the present study the effect of amisulpride on plasma levels of prolactin and the reversibility of this untoward side effect were investigated.
Methods: 17 patients with various diagnoses received amisulpride (50-800 mg/day) or a combination of amisulpride plus other medication as needed. Plasma prolactin was determined 26.7+/-9.4 days (range: 13-50 days) after initiation of treatment and in 3 cases after a much longer period, and 14-51 days following its withdrawal.
Results: All patients on amisulpride had hyperprolactinemia (mean+/-S.D. prolactin levels: 62.5+/-33.0 ng/ml) with females exhibiting considerably higher prolactin levels than males. Following amisulpride discontinuation prolactin levels were significantly (p<000) reduced (mean+/-S.D. prolactin levels: 12.3+/-6.7 ng/ml). No significant correlation was detected between prolactin levels and either amisulpride dosage or duration of administration.
Conclusion: Amisulpride has a pronounced prolactin-elevating effect which appears to be independent of dosage and duration of administration. Hyperprolactinemia rapidly reverses following amisulpride discontinuation.