RISPERDONE & PROLACTIN

Last week we had a guest speaker (Psychiatrist) that mentioned it is good practice to monitor Prolactin levels on patients taking Risperdal. At my hospital we don't generaly do this. Wondering if most other places do. Anyone work where this is done regularly? Or is this one of those theoretical things they say to do but no one really does. Thanks

The speaker also mentioned Depakote and taking Testosterone levels - again I never see it done - does anyone else?

[lsyorke, RN]

There has been alot on the news about Risperdal and it causing gynecomastia in boys. That is why they now recommend checking these levels. The Depakote/Testosterone connection I haven't seen yet.

[lsyorke, RN]

Here's more on the Depakote/testosterone connection

http://www.psycheducation.org/hormones/vpadata.htm

[Spazzy Nurse, RN]

In my 6 years of psych., I have seen one patient "lactate" while on Risperdal (she was a she.... no males that I know of), and I've never heard of the testosterone level checks while on Depakote. Interesting though.

[PRNMEDS]

Thanks for the feedback and Links.

[Osorry1]

I've been in practice for a year and I've had 2 females lactate, 2 go ammenorheac on me, and 1 male with starter breasts. Highest dose used was 3 mg bid.

Now I monitor before and during treatment prolactins when I check for other labs- glucose and cholesterol.

[Osorry1]

I've been in practice for a year and I've had 2 females lactate, 2 go ammenorheac on me, and 1 male with starter breasts. Highest dose used was 3 mg bid.

Now I monitor before and during treatment prolactins when I check for other labs- glucose and cholesterol.

[StuPer]

Hi Osorry1,

I too have been in practice a number of years and have yet to come across a single person on Risperdal that lactated. You don't mention the number of clients you see, but assuming you don't see thousands of people on Risperdal, is there any possible environmental factor that maybe effecting these clients and maybe making them more prone to this side effect of Risperdal?

regards StuPer

[StuPer]

Hi Osorry1,

I too have been in practice a number of years and have yet to come across a single person on Risperdal that lactated. You don't mention the number of clients you see, but assuming you don't see thousands of people on Risperdal, is there any possible environmental factor that maybe effecting these clients and maybe making them more prone to this side effect of Risperdal?

regards StuPer

[Birdie RN]

I recall maby 5-6 males and females lactate while taking risperdal. The doctor usually just changes their medication. I don't know about prolactin levels. most of those I recall were when I woked in state school setting (MR)

[margo123]

Our docs regulary order prolactin levels for pts taking risperdal. I haven't seen testosterone levels drawn on pts taking depakote, however.

Last week we had a guest speaker (Psychiatrist) that mentioned it is good practice to monitor Prolactin levels on patients taking Risperdal. At my hospital we don't generaly do this. Wondering if most other places do. Anyone work where this is done regularly? Or is this one of those theoretical things they say to do but no one really does. Thanks

The speaker also mentioned Depakote and taking Testosterone levels - again I never see it done - does anyone else?

[Osorry1]

I recall maby 5-6 males and females lactate while taking risperdal. The doctor usually just changes their medication. I don't know about prolactin levels. most of those I recall were when I woked in state school setting (MR)

On the patients I had with elevated Prolactin, I just switched meds or switched to injectable Risperdal (liver metabolism increases risk of prolactin elevations) without problems or recurrence of psychosis.