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Successful treatment of refractory schizophrenia with combined olanzapine and quetiapine in a patient with a prolactin secreting pituitary microadenoma

Department of Psychiatry, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK

Michael A. Reveley

Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Division of Psychiatry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK, rev{at}le.ac.uk

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia presents a particular problem in patients who, for whatever reason, cannot be treated with clozapine. Pharmacological strategies for the further management of such individuals usually involve the coadministration of two or more antipsychotic drugs, leading to an increased potential for adverse effects. Hyperprolactinaemia (elevation of serum prolactin levels) is a common side-effect of antipsychotics and one that it is especially important to minimize in patients with primary pituitary pathology. We present a patient with treatment resistant schizophrenia and a prolactin-secreting microadenoma of the pituitary who was intolerant of clozapine therapy. She was prescribed a combination of olanzapine and quetiapine and experienced almost complete resolution of her psychosis, with no elevation of serum prolactin levels. We suggest that this may be a strategy worthy of consideration in patients for whom conventional treatment methods have failed, particularly those who are sensitive to the prolactinogenic effects of many antipsychotic medications.

Key Words: olanzapine • pituitary microadenoma • prolactin • quetiapine • treatment resistant schizophrenia

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 19, No. 1, 97-101 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0269881105048903


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