Korean J Psychopharmacol.  2002 Dec;13(4):233-238.

Tretment Effect of Bromocriptine on Antipsychotics-induced Amenorrhea

• Park CH
• Jang HJ
• Choi HS
• Han OS
• Kim CY

Abstract

Amenorrhea is one of the well-known side effects of antipsychotics in women. It is associated with hyperprolactinemia induced by dopamine blocking effect of antipsychotics. Administration of bromocriptine which belongs to dopamine agonist may reverse amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia. However dopamine agonist has been reserved in the treatment of antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea because of concern about exacerbation of psychotic symptoms. This case series study was designed to determine whether bromocriptine can be used safely in schizophrenic patients with amenorrhea. We administered bromocriptine to 5 stable schizophrenic outpatients who experienced amenorrhea over 6 months. Bromocrptine dosage was titrated upward from 2.5 mg/day to 7.5 mg/day until menstrual recovery. Patients' menstrual state and side effects of bromocriptine was monitored prospectively for 22 weeks, and clinical symptom were assessed using brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and clinical global impression scale-severity (CGI-S). These were assessed biweekly until 12th week and then every 4weeks thereafter. All five patients resumed menstruation without deterioration of clinical symptoms measured by BPRS and CGI-S. No serious side effect of bromocriptine was reported. Patients with lower baseline prolactin level showed faster recovery and needed lower dose of bromocriptine. These findings suggest bromocriptine may be used safely in the treatment of antipsychotics-induced amenorrhea.

Keyword

Antipsychotics; Hyperprolactinemia; Amenorrhea; Bromocriptine

MeSH Terms

Amenorrhea*
Antipsychotic Agents
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale
Bromocriptine*
Dopamine
Dopamine Agonists
Female
Humans
Hyperprolactinemia
Menstruation
Outpatients
Prolactin
Prospective Studies
Antipsychotic Agents
Bromocriptine
Dopamine
Dopamine Agonists
Prolactin