[Bromocriptine therapy].

Abstract

1. The study of bromocriptine and its effects has opened up new perspectives on the highly sophisticated neuroendocrine control mechanisms and the role of neurotransmitters. 2. As a specific prolactin inhibitor, bromocriptine is the treatment of choice in many cases of hyperprolactinemia in female and male. There is ample evidence that with bromocriptine a reduction of pituitary tumor size (particularly in prolactin-secreting tumors) can be achieved. 3. One highly specific use of bromocriptine, and which involves virtually no problems, is inhibition of puerperal lactation. 4. Bromocriptine is effective and useful in the treatment of acromegaly. While it may restore growth hormone levels to normal in mild and selective cases, it may be helpful in controlling severe cases in which surgical or radiotherapeutic approaches have failed to achieve satisfactory results. 5. As a dopamine agonist, bromocriptine offers a new possibility of treating parkinsonism. It may be given alone or, as is preferable in many cases, in combination with submaximal doses of levodopa. 6. Side effects are sometimes only observed on initiation of bromocriptine therapy, sometimes occur only during chronic therapy, and may occasionally necessitate interruption of the treatment. Sometimes continuation of therapy leads to tolerance of unwanted effects. Patients should be informed before the start of bromocriptine treatment about the possibility of side effects. With proper instruction on the manner in which the drug should be taken, many adverse reactions can be avoided or diminished.