Effects of acute administration of zetidoline, a new antidopaminergic drug, on plasma prolactin and aldosterone levels in man.

The neuroendocrinological effects of acute oral administration of 20 mg zetidoline, a new antipsychotic drug with antidopaminergic properties, were evaluated in 8 healthy volunteers, by a double-blind, crossover comparison with placebo. Zetidoline significantly increased serum prolactin (p less than 0.01 at 1-3 h; p less than 0.05 at 4-6 h). No significant change was observed in blood levels of aldosterone, renin, cortisol, growth hormone and electrolyte, or in blood pressure and heart rate. The data suggest that the drug increases prolactin through blockade of dopaminergic receptors. The lack of change in the aldosterone levels may be evidence against the hypothesis of dopaminergic control of aldosterone secretion.