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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Swollen Breasts After Taking Risperidone In An Elderly Person?

My wife is 88 years old. She was putb on 0.5 mg Rispiridone a few months ago to hnbelp with delusional and confused behaviour. It worked well. Then she recenrly noticed her old and saggy breasts filled out considerably. Not big but well formed, full and bigger than before. Her GP stopped the medication and asked her to feel if there were any lumps. There are no lumps. Should she have a mammogram or some other treatment. Could the prolactin build up cause pituatiary or other problems
Thu, 28 May 2020
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Risperidone, an antipsychotic drug acts on the pituitary gland, stimulating the production of a hormone called as prolactin. This hormone stimulates breast tissue production and lactation in pregnant or nursing women. Most common effect of Risperidone is it can cause "sustained hyperprolactinaemia", resulting in elevated prolactin levels.

I would advise you to check serum prolactin levels of your wife and to discontinue the medication for a while, because the elevated prolactin levels are dose dependent (risperidone dose). If you wish go ahead with a Ultrasound breast tissue, to rule out other pathology if any.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Yogapriya Vasudevan, General & Family Physician
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What Causes Swollen Breasts After Taking Risperidone In An Elderly Person?

Hi, Risperidone, an antipsychotic drug acts on the pituitary gland, stimulating the production of a hormone called as prolactin. This hormone stimulates breast tissue production and lactation in pregnant or nursing women. Most common effect of Risperidone is it can cause sustained hyperprolactinaemia , resulting in elevated prolactin levels. I would advise you to check serum prolactin levels of your wife and to discontinue the medication for a while, because the elevated prolactin levels are dose dependent (risperidone dose). If you wish go ahead with a Ultrasound breast tissue, to rule out other pathology if any. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Yogapriya Vasudevan, General & Family Physician