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Hypoprolactinaemic galactorrhoea in long-term methadone treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Chimdi Uhoegbu ,
Michael Doran  and
John O'Connor
Chimdi Uhoegbu*
Affiliation:
The Drug Treatment Centre Board (DTCB), McCarthy Centre, 30-31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Michael Doran
Affiliation:
The Drug Treatment Centre Board, McCarthy Centre, 30-31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
John O'Connor
Affiliation:
The Drug Treatment Centre Board, McCarthy Centre, 30-31 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
*
*Correspondence Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Although hyperprolactinaemia is associated with galactorrhoea, galactorrhoea often occurs without any hyperprolactinaemia. This has been well established, and it has been documented in women prescribed/using methadone and other opiates. One case series described amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea in ‘female heroin addicts’, but it has not before been described in a patient with hypoprolactinaemia.

We report a case of a 30 year old non-pregnant, non-puerperal, opioid-dependent, HIV positive woman on long-term methadone maintenance programme, who presented with bilateral, milky nipple discharge, associated with painful breast lumps, but with serum prolactin levels below the normal range. She was not prescribed any other medications likely to have effect on the endocrine system. This case highlights the need for prescribers to be alert to the implications of long-term use of opioids.

Keywords

GalactorrhoeaHypoprolactinaemiaHyperprolactinaemiaOpioidsEndocrinology
Type
Case Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 100 - 102
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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