Man Boobs via Prolactin up 70% to 90%

Well Patrick McGorry and the EPPIC DeLorean Club haven’t come back re Voodoo Science & Snake Oil yet…but they have been on the site.

No! Risperidone in small doses is safe. Are you 100% sure Patrick?

This is an update of information provided by Medicalskeptic @medskep on Twitter (many thanks).

Risperidone (Risperdal) caused a significant increase in prolactin in over 90% of patients in the study

Antipsychotics and Prolactin “In a study that looked at the rates of prolactin elevation, it was noted that the older medications, like haloperidol (Haldol) were more likely to increase prolactin. The exception was risperidone (Risperdal) that caused a significant increase in prolactin in over 90% of patients in the study. However, this study did not comment on whether people had symptoms (such as amenorrhea or others mentioned above) as a result of the increase; it merely reported that in the lab, prolactin levels were increased in the patient’s blood. It should also be noted that this study was funded in part by Eli Lilly which makes a competitor of the drug, risperidone“.

AND…

Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia: association with typical and atypical antipsychotic treatment.
Montgomery J, Winterbottom E, Jessani M, Kohegyi E, Fulmer J, Seamonds B, Josiassen RC.

Source
Arthur P. Noyes Research Foundation, Norristown, PA 19401, USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the prevalence and severity of hyperprolactinemia among a large sample of patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders treated with typical and atypical antipsychotic medications.

METHOD:
Three electronic databases (general medical, psychiatric, and pharmacologic) containing the census data from November 2002 through March 2003 for a state-funded, inpatient hospital serving the chronically mentally ill were merged (N = 470). This database was purged of patient names, while the unique hospital identification number and demographic variables in each record were retained. These records were then screened to exclude patients with medications (except neuroleptics) or medical conditions known to elevate or suppress prolactin, leaving an overall sample (N = 422) in which to evaluate the prevalence of hyperprolactinemia. The sample was composed of patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia (N = 213), other related psychotic disorders (N = 131), mood disorders (N = 44), and other disorders (N = 34).

RESULTS:

These are not pecks they are Man Boobs!

For the overall sample (N = 422), which combined men and women, the mean serum prolactin level was 41.5 ng/mL; 290 of 422 patients were above the normal range. For women (N = 133), the mean serum prolactin level was 57.9 ng/mL, and 67% had levels above normal. For men (N = 289), the mean level was 33.9 ng/mL, with a 70% prevalence of hyperprolactinemia. While age did not influence the prevalence of elevated prolactin among men, age (reflecting reproductive status) was a significant variable in women; older age was associated with lower prolactin levels. For the study sample, a highly significant correlation was observed between neuroleptic dose (chlorpromazine equivalent) and serum prolactin level; however, this relationship was not determined on a medication-by-medication basis. Medications known to elevate prolactin were associated with higher prevalence rates of hyperprolactinemia, and “prolactin-sparing” medications had lower prevalence rates. However, when they were used in combination, the prolactin-elevating medication overwhelmed the effects of prolactin-sparing medication.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study suggested that neuroleptic treatment of schizophrenia is strongly associated with hyperprolactinemia and showed important differences between prolactin-sparing and prolactin-elevating medications.

AND…

“RISPERDAL ® and similar medications can raise the blood levels of a hormone known as prolactin, causing a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. Blood levels of prolactin remain elevated with continued use. Some side effects seen with these medications include the absence of a menstrual period; breasts producing milk; the development of breasts by males; and the inability to achieve an erection. The connection between prolactin levels and side effects is unknown”.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with RISPERDAL ® and similar medications. If the person being treated has diabetes or risk factors such as being overweight or a family history of diabetes, blood sugar testing should be performed at the beginning and throughout treatment. Complications of diabetes can be serious and even life threatening. If signs of high blood sugar or diabetes develop, such as being thirsty all the time, going to the bathroom a lot, or feeling weak or hungry, contact your doctor”.

will this be an EPPIC Man Boob failure? I hope not.

Tell me again…what is the oath ALL doctors take?

Oh Yes, “TO DO NO HARM”.

Need I say more?