A Case Report of Non-Puerperal Galactorrhea Induced by Long Term Use of Domperidone and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, pathogenesis, and key points of diagnosis and treatment of non-puerperal galactorrhea induced by long-term use of domperidone, aiming to enhance clinicians’ awareness of this adverse drug reaction and promote rational drug use.

Method: The clinical data of a 54-year-old female patient with non-puerperal galactorrhea caused by long-term oral domperidone were reported. The case was discussed and analyzed in conjunction with a review of relevant literature.

Results: The patient was a 54-year-old woman who presented with “intermittent galactorrhea for two weeks” and significant anxiety. For gastric discomfort, she had been taking domperidone (brand name: Motilium) 10 mg three times daily for two consecutive months. Upon admission, her serum prolactin level was found to be significantly elevated. Based on her medication history, a diagnosis of drug-induced hyperprolactinemia was considered. Domperidone was discontinued without any other specific treatment. Two weeks after cessation, the galactorrhea symptoms resolved, and a re-examination of serum
prolactin returned to a normal level.

Conclusion: As a peripheral dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, long-term use of domperidone can lead to hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea by blocking dopamine receptors in the tuberoinfundibular pathway. Clinicians should pay close attention to its endocrine side effects, strictly adhere to the treatment duration recommended in the drug’s label, and strengthen physician-patient communication and adverse reaction monitoring during therapy to avoid unnecessary patient anxiety and waste of medical resources.