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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Methadone Cause High Level Of Prolactin?

I am a 53/male and I have had 7 back surgeries and I am a chronic pain patient for 27 years now. About 10 years ago, I was started on methadone for pain. A very high dose because of my high tolerance of pain meds. I have recently over the past 6 years reduced my dosage to 60 to 90mg a day. I was on 120mg a day. I take 60 mgs a day more than the higher dose now. A month ago I was diagnosed with a 1cm prolactinoma and my prolactin level was at 203. My question is, did the methadone cause this?
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Opiates reliably increase prolactin. I find absolutely nothing to say they cause tumors. Considering the number of narcotic addicts in the US is over a million and prolactinomas are not found daily, the risk cannot be big.... No, doesn't cause it. Likely secretion increased by it.
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Can Methadone Cause High Level Of Prolactin?

Opiates reliably increase prolactin. I find absolutely nothing to say they cause tumors. Considering the number of narcotic addicts in the US is over a million and prolactinomas are not found daily, the risk cannot be big.... No, doesn t cause it. Likely secretion increased by it.