Hyperprolactinemia with Aripiprazole: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hyperprolactinemia is an important but often a neglected side effect of antipsychotic treatment. Aripiprazole is one of the new atypical antipsychotics that has partial agonist effects on dopamine D2 receptors and has a low possibility of hyperprolactinemia. In the present case report, we discuss a female patient who was diagnosed as suffering from depression with psychotic symptoms. Her prolactin levels were elevated while on treatment with aripiprazole. Clinicians should consider that aripiprazole may result in moderate elevation of prolactin levels although it is reported that it has a lower risk of elevation of prolactin levels.