Clinical and hormonal effects of long-term veralipride treatment in post-menopausal women.

The clinical and hormonal effects of long-term, continuous treatment with veralipride, a benzamide derivative, were investigated in 10 post-menopausal women. The efficacy of veralipride in relieving hot flushes was confirmed. No significant change was detected in depressive mood scores. Except for the late appearance of moderate extrapyramidal side effects in one patient, the clinical tolerance of veralipride was good. As regards hormonal effects, veralipride, by virtue of its antidopaminergic action, raised prolactin levels. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels declined significantly, while the serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) increased. These hormonal changes were presumably secondary to the chronic hyperprolactinaemia.