Elevation of prolactin
 Some
antipsychotic medications increase the secretion of the hormone
prolactin in the body.
Prolactin is essential in the induction of
lactation in mammals, i.e. it is the hormone that controls the production
of milk in women. Elevated prolactin levels may therefor result
in milk in the breasts, even though the woman not recently have
been pregnant and given birth.
Also prolactin is "synergistic with
estrogen", which is another female sex hormone. As a result,
female patients may experience a suppression or absence of menses.
Also, the interest for sex may be affected for both female and male
patients.
High prolactin levels may cause osteoporosis
in older patients. Osteoporosis is a reduction of bone mass, which
may lead to fractures.
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