Duloxetine Associated Galactorrhea and Hyperprolactinemia: A Case Report

Duloxetine is a serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). The noradrenergic effects contribute to the treatment of painful physical symptoms. Hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhea are recognized side effects of psychotropic drugs used in the treatment of psychiatric diseases. Although hyperprolactinaemia is a known side effect of the tricyclic antidepressants, evidence on hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhoea induced by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the SNRIs is limited. Hyperprolactinaemia due to SSRI or SNRI therapy is usually asymptomatic and is diagnosed after a detailed examination of the patient following the emergence of galactorrhea. In this report, a case who developed amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and hyper-prolactinaemia identified at the 5th month of duloxetine for major depression will be discussed. After a month of drug-free period and cabergoline treatment, the prolactin levels returned to normal.