Amenorrhea as a Side Effect of Low Dose Aripiprazole: An Adolescent Case

Amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, galactorrhoea, gynecomastia, infertility, and sexual dysfunction may arise as a consequence of hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia is one of major side effects of treatment with antipsychotics, but aripiprazole is known as a dopamine stabilizer antipsychotic which can be used to improve hyperprolactinemia. In this report, it was described that an adolescent patient experienced amenorrhea after adding very low dose aripiprazole to ongoing fluoxetine treatment regime for major depressive disorder. Additionally, this case showed that the patient recovered from the amenorrhea with replacement of aripiprazole with quetiapine.

Hiccup Due to Aripiprazole Plus Methylphenidate Treatment in an Adolescent with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder: A Case Report

Our case had hiccups arising in an adolescent with the attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (CD) after adding aripiprazole treatment to extended-release methylphenidate. Actually, antipsychotics are also used in the treatment of hiccups, but studies suggest that they can cause hiccups as well. Within 12 hours of taking 2.5 mg aripiprazole added to extended-release methylphenidate at a dose of 54 mg/day, 16-year-old boy began having hiccups in the morning, which lasted after 3–4 hours. As a result, aripiprazole was discontinued and methylphenidate was continued alone because we could not convince the patient to use another additional drug due to this side effect. Subsequently, when his behavior got worsened day by day, his mother administered aripiprazole alone again at the dose of 2.5 mg/day at the weekend and continued treatment because hiccup did not occur again. But when it was administered with methylphenidate on Monday, hiccup started again next morning and lasted one hour at this time. In conclusion, we concluded that concurrent use of methylphenidate and aripiprazole in this adolescent led to hiccups.

Dystonia in an Adolescent on Risperidone Following the Discontinuation of Methylphenidate: A Case Report

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with common comorbidities that include oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, anxiety disorder, and affective disorders. Because of these comorbidities, drug combination treatments and drug-drug interactions are becoming increasingly more frequent. The present case report describes an acute dystonic reaction following the abrupt discontinuation of methylphenidate from a drug regimen with risperidone. The patient experienced acute dystonic reactions on three separate occasions when he forgot to take his methylphenidate medication. The present report informs clinicians about the possible side effects, such as dystonia, when psychostimulant and antipsychotic drug combinations are altered and suggests that the abrupt cessation of stimulants may lead to the development of movement disorders. Therefore, appropriate care is necessary when changing the dose of a drug or abruptly discontinuing a drug from a combination of psychostimulants and antipsychotics.

Comparison of 3 doses of ropivacaine for epidural anesthesia in transurethral surgery

To investigate the use of 3 different doses of ropivacaine on the quality of anesthesia and hemodynamics in epidural anesthesia for transurethral surgery. The current study was conducted in the Department of Anesthesiology, Medical Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey, between May 2004 and June 2006. The study recruited 81 males of ASA I- II group, ages 60-80 years, undergoing transurethral resection of prostate or bladder tumors. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups receiving epidural ropivacaine in different doses and concentrations. Group I n = 27 received 15 ml 102.5mg of 0.75% solution, group II n = 27 received 10ml 75mg of 0.75% solution, and group III n = 27 received 10 ml 50mg 0.5% ropivacaine. The quality of the blocks and the hemodynamic changes were compared. Motor block was significantly less in group III than in groups I and II. The sensory block level was T6 or more in 55% of patients in group I, 35% in group II, and 21% in group III. The duration of sensory block was less, and the time to achieve the T10 level was greater in group III. Hypotension and bradycardia were more frequent in group I. Effective anesthesia with few side effects was obtained with low dose ropivacaine