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Suffering From Major Depressive Illness Of Postpartum Onset And Taking Cipralex. What Is The Reason For High Prolactin Level?

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Posted on Wed, 20 Nov 2013
Question: Hi Dr XXXXXXX You told me 2 months ago that I suffer from Major depressive illness of postpartum onset .and I'm on cipralex since then(1st month on cipralex 10mg the second on cipralex 20mg).... I'm feeling really great now ,all thanks to your advices. but i noticed that my period became irregular in the past 2 months with little pain in my nipples ,and seems that I have a bit high prolactin level ,,,I read in some internat posts that some antidepressants cause higher prolactin level and missed/long periods..is that true ,what is your opinion about that?
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Answered by Dr. Anjana Rao Kavoor (7 hours later)
Brief Answer: Yes it is possible. Detailed Answer: Hi, You are welcome and thanks for writing again. Its great to hear that you are doing well. Increased prolactin levels are very rare side effects of Escitalopram. In my practice I have not come across any patient who had this complaint on Escitalopram. This side effect is very commonly encountered with other psychiatric drugs like antipsychotics and not so much with SSRIs (Escitalopram). Nevertheless, it is a documented side effect in rare instances, so it is possible. There are very few case reports by doctors in literature who have documented this side effect in their patient. Consult your local psychiatrist regarding this and maybe reducing the drug dosage can be tried first, if that does not help then stopping the drug is the next option. Another agent (preferably another selective serotonin receptor blocker, SSRI) can then be used to replace this one because these drugs have a varied side effect profile and side effect of one drug is rarely encountered with another. I hope this helps, Wish you a fast recovery. Dr. A Rao Kavoor
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Anjana Rao Kavoor

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Practicing since :2008

Answered : 1197 Questions

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Suffering From Major Depressive Illness Of Postpartum Onset And Taking Cipralex. What Is The Reason For High Prolactin Level?

Brief Answer: Yes it is possible. Detailed Answer: Hi, You are welcome and thanks for writing again. Its great to hear that you are doing well. Increased prolactin levels are very rare side effects of Escitalopram. In my practice I have not come across any patient who had this complaint on Escitalopram. This side effect is very commonly encountered with other psychiatric drugs like antipsychotics and not so much with SSRIs (Escitalopram). Nevertheless, it is a documented side effect in rare instances, so it is possible. There are very few case reports by doctors in literature who have documented this side effect in their patient. Consult your local psychiatrist regarding this and maybe reducing the drug dosage can be tried first, if that does not help then stopping the drug is the next option. Another agent (preferably another selective serotonin receptor blocker, SSRI) can then be used to replace this one because these drugs have a varied side effect profile and side effect of one drug is rarely encountered with another. I hope this helps, Wish you a fast recovery. Dr. A Rao Kavoor