@article{3158284,
    title = "Effects of Cabergoline on Hyperprolactinemia, Psychopathology, and
Sexual Functioning in Schizophrenic Patients",
    author = "Kalkavoura, Christina S. and Michopoulos, Ioannis and Arvanitakis, and Periklis and Theodoropoulou, Pitsa and Dimopoulou, Konstantina and and Tzebelikos, Errikos and Lykouras, Lefteris",
    journal = "EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY",
    year = "2013",
    volume = "21",
    number = "4",
    pages = "332-341",
    publisher = "AMER PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOC",
    doi = "10.1037/a0033448",
    keywords = "schizophrenia; sexual functioning; antipsychotics; hypetprolactinemia;
cabergoline",
    abstract = "Antipsychotic medications are associated to different degrees with
sexual dysfunction mainly through their potential to induce
hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin (PRL) secretion is mainly regulated by the
hypothalamic dopaminergic systems. We conducted this 6-month,
parallel-group study to prospectively investigate the effects of the
dopamine agonist cabergoline on sexual dysfunction in clinically stable
patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV, AP 194) and hyperprolactinemia (PRL
>20 ng/ml for men and PRL > 25 ng/ml for women). In total 80 patients
were enrolled; 33 were receiving risperidone, 17 haloperidol, 11
amisulpride, and 8 risperidone microspheres long acting. Based on PRL
levels (<50, 50-99, or > 100 ng/ml), patients were assigned in 3
cabergoline doses (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/day in 38, 23, and 19 patients,
respectively). The psychopathology was evaluated using the Positive and
Negative Syndrom Scale (PANSS), and sexual dysfunction was evaluated
using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX). PRL levels were
reduced in all patients, from 73.3 (+/- 46.8) to 42.0 (+/- 27.8) at
Month 3 and 27.1 (+/- 20.4) at Month 6 (p < .001). ASEX scores declined
from 19.1 (+/- 5.1) to 17.6 (+/- 5.5) at Month 3 and 15.0 (+/- 6.5) at
Month 6 (p < .001). PANSS scores were reduced in the third and in the
sixth month (p = .001 at 6 month vs. baseline). The decrease in PRL was
not statistically different between groups. Our data suggest that
cabergoline administration to clinically stable patients with
schizophrenia may improve sexual functioning without adversely affecting
their psychopathologic status, provided that the dose has been suited to
the severity of the hyperprolactinemia."
}