Evaluation of Prolactin Levels in Patients Treated for Schizophrenia

Hyperprolactinaemia is a common side-effect of antipsychotic treatment and the clinical conse-quences associated with this can have a negative impact on patients compliance. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of hyperprolactinemia in patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics. This was a descriptive study conducted at the Polyclinic of Speciality Nr.3, Tirana, Albania over a period of two years. It included 76 patients, 23 (30.3 %) of whom were females and 53 (69.7 %) males. Baseline fasting serum prolactin levels were taken followed by administration of haloperidol and olanzapine respectively. The rise in serum prolactin levels in second measurement was significantly higher in both, males M=445.6 (534.3) IU/l and females M=534.9 (595.6) IU/l (p