Hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual irregularity emerging in association with risperidone use and treated with aripiprazole in an adolescent diagnosed with schizophrenia: a case report

Risperidone is one of the most commonly used antipsychotic agents in the treatment of psychosis in children and adults. However, it can lead to hyperprolactinaemia by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the anterior pituitary. This can result in galactorrhea, menstrual irregularity, amenorrhoea and gynaecomastia and can impact adversely on medication compliance and quality of life. Very few data are available in the literature concerning the management of hyperprolactinaemia developing in association with antipsychotics in children and adolescents. This report describes improvement with the addition to treatment of low-dose aripiprazole in hyperprolactinaemia and menstrual irregularity emerging as side effects of risperidone therapy in an adolescent girl diagnosed with schizophrenia.