Starting Risperidone RE/ prolactin

I just started taking resperidone (getting off Latuda) while I continue to take klonopin, adderral, Prozac and depakote. I wanted to know how often people get blood work for prolactin levels on this. I actually took it ten years ago and I don’t recall. My doctor gave me a script for blood work in a month but after that how often should it be tested. I ask because I took lithium for 15 years and tho I had plenty of blood work in that time nobody ever tested my kidney levels and I ended up with stage 3 kidney disease which I’ll have to deal with for life as even after stopping lithium the damage to kidneys was already permanent. Anyway, anyone who has taken risperidone please tell me the frequency of blood work for prolactin b/c I’m asking my gynecologist to test me after initial test b/c I doubt the clinic I go to will be responsible enough to keep track.
Thank you
Mel

Hi Mel. I took it for a couple of months and it caused lactation very soon after I began taking it. It also threw my cycle off pretty badly. I never had my prolactin levels tested. I didn't even know that was an option. My doctor decided to wean me off and place me on Geodon instead due to the side effects.

We now have a Bipolar Treatments sub forum. There is a thread there about Risperdone experiences that you might also find helpful.

I hope the Risperdone works well for you. It did a great job keeping me stable after an episode of mania with psychosis.

Thank you. I just realized I should have put this in prescription medication forum not bipolar. How can I get to the sub forum for respiridone? It’s been a very long time since I posted here so I’m having trouble navigating.

Here's the link to the sub forum. It has info on many meds and treatment options. You can use the 'Search this Forum' link to find the med you need. I'm phone posting, so on my screen that is located at the top of the list of posts on the right side. I'm not sure where it is on the PC view.

https://psychcentralforums.com/bipolar-treatments/

Enjoy!

Hi Mel. I don't know if there is any official recommendation about prolactin level testing. Do ask your doctor. I have had them done I think four or five times in the past, but only on Risperdal/risperidone and Invega/paliperidone (Invega is very related to Risperdal). If I recall correctly, my prolactin level tests were only ordered when I started to complain about having that side effect (missed periods, but especially lactation). For guys, I'd definitely want one if breasts were increasing in size.

There is no doubt about it that increased prolactin levels are issues. Different people are perhaps more concerned about its different effects. For me, the lactation was what sparked my first complaints. Wearing pantyliners in one's bra to prevent wet spots is not a minor complaint! Also, pituitary gland issues should be monitored. Though rare, there are people who develop pituitary tumors. I did. Long story...but it did go away months after discontinuing Invega. I had been seeing an endocrinologist for these issues. I remember him saying that there are medications that can lower prolactin levels, but my memory is sketchy. I recall him telling me that such medications were NOT recommended for me. Because of my bipolar disorder? I don't remember.

I am so sorry that your doctor neglected your creatinine levels. That is really delinquent! My psychiatrist was pretty good about ordering them maybe every other time I had a Lithium level. I forget how often I had the Lith levels, but they were often. The phlebotomists knew me very well! I know with Lithium that one must also report any major side effects to their docs because toxicity can happen fast and unexpectedly, and so can kidney damage. I also have some kidney damage from Lithium, but it was caught early. Nevertheless, I still check in with a nephrologist once per year, plus my GP does similar tests 6 months after. Twice per year testing. My creatinine level has improved a little over the years, but it's still high. I do my best to maintain kidney health. Obviously, I, too, was weaned off Lithium when kidney issues were discovered. Lithium wasn't that effective for me, anyway.

Week three on this caused lactation and oh god my breasts were so painful it just happened overnight. I just quit it.. my Pdoc saw no reason for a blood test. You lactate you stop Med , simple.

I was on Risperidone for a year and never had prolactin drawn 🤷*♀️ Risperidone controlled my bipolar symptoms well. Hope it works well for you!