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New hyperprolactinemia and anovulation model in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and effect of cabergoline.

We aimed to develop an anovulation model, using sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia in common marmosets. The serum prolactin level gradually increased during the twice-daily administration of sulpiride and reached a plateau after 4 days. Sulpiride produced as big a response at 10 mg kg(-1) as at 50 mg kg(-1). In this study, the length of the ovarian cycle was approximately 30 days in normal common marmosets. Serum progesterone and estradiol levels showed no consistent change during the first 2 months of treatment with sulpiride. When treatment with sulpiride had been continued for more than 2 months, serum progesterone and estradiol levels fell to within the range seen in the follicular phase of the normal cycle and absence of ovulation was recognized by laparoscopy. A single oral administration of cabergoline (at doses between 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg(-1)) dose dependently reduced the elevated serum prolactin level. Bromocriptine (at an oral dose of 10 mg kg(-1)) also reduced the serum prolactin level at 4 and 8 h after its administration. With bromocriptine, the prolactin level had recovered at 24 h, but with cabergoline at doses of 0.05 mg kg(-1) or more, it had still not recovered at 48 h. In anovulatory common marmosets, oral administration of cabergoline at a daily dose of 0.05 mg kg(-1) restored ovarian function and resulted in ovulation in 100% of the group (following a reduction in the serum prolactin level). Bromocriptine at a daily oral dose of 10 mg kg(-1) resulted in ovulation in 67% of the group, but this dose was about 200 times higher than the dose of cabergoline. We could produce an anovulatory model induced by sulpiride repeatedly administered over a long time period. It is suggested that, in this anovulatory model in common marmosets, cabergoline has a potent and long-lasting action as a dopamine D2 receptor agonist, and thus could be a useful drug for the treatment of galactorrhea and hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea and/or anovulation.

Animals↗

Reduction in the size of prolactin-producing pituitary tumor after Cabergoline administration.

Different weekly doses (400 to 3,000 micrograms) of the new, long-acting dopamine agonist Cabergoline (Farmitalia Carlo Erba, Milan, Italy) were given to 11 hyperprolactinemic women with pituitary tumor. Pituitary computerized tomography (CT) scans were performed before the start of treatment and after 3 (n = 5), 6 (n = 3), and 9 (n = 3) months of Cabergoline administration. Plasma prolactin (PRL) was determined in blood samples collected before and at weekly intervals during Cabergoline administration. Cabergoline induced marked inhibition of PRL secretion in conjunction with a CT demonstration of reduction in the pituitary tumor size in all patients. The potent, long-lasting PRL inhibitory effect of Cabergoline and the absence of side effects typical of dopaminergic compounds suggest that the use of this drug is advantageous over others in the medical treatment of hyperprolactinemia.

Adolescent↗

Regulation by chronic treatment with cabergoline of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor levels and their expression in the striatum of Parkinsonian-monkeys.

1. Chronic treatment for one month with the long-acting dopamine D2-like agonist cabergoline (0.25 mg/kg s.c. every 48 hours), had despite partial tolerance, sustained antiparkinsonian activity in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) Parkinsonian monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). 2. Cabergoline treatment decreased by half striatal D2 receptor binding density measured by [3H]spiperone autoradiography versus untreated MPTP monkeys. No change in D2 mRNA measured by in situ hybridization and D2 receptor immunostaining was observed. 3. No change in either D1 receptor binding density or D1 receptor mRNA levels was observed in cabergoline-treated MPTP-monkeys compared to untreated MPTP-monkeys, suggesting receptor subfamily specificity of cabergoline. 4. The present results suggest that the cabergoline-induced behavioral partial tolerance is accompanied by a decrease in D2 receptor binding but not due to alterations in the steady state of D2 mRNA levels.

Animals↗

Antioxidant properties of cabergoline: inhibition of brain auto-oxidation and superoxide anion production of microglial cells in rats.

We evaluated the effect of cabergoline on superoxide anion production by rat microglial cells using a 2-methyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)-3,7-dihydroimidazo[1, 2-a]pyrazin-3-one-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Cabergoline dose-dependently inhibited superoxide anion production by microglial cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan, while it had no superoxide dismutase-like activity. We also studied the effects of cabergoline and alpha-tocopherol on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances formation in homogenized brain-tissue in rats. Cabergoline was stronger than alpha-tocopherol in inhibiting auto-oxidation. While cabergoline is commonly used to treat the motor dysfunction of Parkinson's disease, it may also be effective in inhibiting oxidative stress, a possible mechanism of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗

Reproductive toxicity of cabergoline in mice, rats, and rabbits.

Cabergoline, a new dopaminergic ergot derivative with potent long-lasting prolactin (PRL)-lowering properties, was assessed using standard reproductive studies in the mouse, rat, and rabbit with oral administration. Because of the compound's pharmacologic activity, several aspects remain incompletely explored in the rat, in which prolactin is the luteotrophic hormone. A fertility study in female rats was possible only at very low doses (0.5, 1, and 2 micrograms/kg/d) because higher doses completely inhibited implantation. In male rats no adverse effects were seen on male reproductive performance or on the offspring at doses up to 320 micrograms/kg/d given for 10 weeks prior to mating with untreated females. In a developmental toxicity study in rats treated from day 6 to day 15 of gestation at doses (6.25, 12.5, and 25 micrograms/kg/d) not exceeding the active dose for inhibition of egg nidation (ED50 = 25 micrograms/kg), a high incidence of total litter loss occurred as a reflection of inhibition of egg nidation at the highest dose, but embryofetal development was not impaired in litters reaching term. An exploratory study at 30 or 1000 micrograms/kg/d with treatment from day 5 of gestation or later demonstrated that cabergoline did not affect the maintenance of pregnancy at 30 micrograms/kg/d given from day 7 or later, or at 1000 micrograms/kg/d given from day 9. Doses of 500, 2000, and 8000 micrograms/kg/d (treatment from day 6 to day 15 of gestation) did not inhibit egg nidation in mice and showed no adverse effects on intrauterine development. Doses ranging from 5 to 8000 micrograms/kg/d administered from day 6 to day 18 of gestation in the rabbit were associated with maternal effects, including a reduction in body weight gain and food and water intake starting from 500 micrograms/kg/d and increased reactivity at the highest doses (4000 and 8000 micrograms/kg/d). Effects on intrauterine development were restricted to a reduction in mean fetal and placental weights at 4000 and 8000 micrograms/kg/d. In peri- and postnatal studies in rats (treatment from day 15 or 17 of gestation to weaning) cabergoline did not affect fetal development and parturition up to 100 micrograms/kg/d, but strongly inhibited milk secretion starting from 10 micrograms/kg/d, thus leaving unexplored the postnatal phase at higher doses. When neonatal rats (born from untreated dams) were treated directly with cabergoline at 10, 30, and 90 micrograms/kg/d from day 7 to 13 after birth, treatment was well tolerated up to the highest dose tested (90 micrograms/kg/d). It was concluded that cabergoline did not impair fertility in the male rat, was not teratogenic in mice and rabbits, did not affect the latter phase of gestation or parturition in the rat, and was not toxic when administered directly to neonatal rats.

Animals↗

Evaluation of cabergoline and buserelin efficacy for oestrous induction in the bitch.

The purpose of this work was to compare two different protocols of oestrous induction, using either a dopamine agonist (cabergoline) or a GnRH agonist (buserelin) in anoestrus bitches. The clinical trial involved 22 Beagle bitches, randomly allotted to two treatment groups: group A (n = 12) was orally administered cabergoline (Galastop(R); Centralvet-Vetem, Milan, Italy; 5 microg/kg SID), until the onset of cytological oestrus or for a maximum of 30 days and group B (n = 10) was treated with buserelin acetate, (Suprefact(R); Aventis Pharma, Milan, Italy), administered subcutaneously t.i.d., at 1.5 microg/kg for 11 days and 0.75 microg/kg for the following 3 days. Blood samples were collected twice a week to measure progesterone and prolactin concentration. Both cabergoline and buserelin produced a significant early decline in prolactin concentration (p < 0.01), but the effect of cabergoline lasted longer. Progesterone concentration was significantly affected by buserelin administration, showing a significant increase (p < 0.01) from day 3 to day 6 of treatment. Cabergoline confirmed its effectiveness in inducing oestrus as 10 of 12 bitches responded to the treatment, were mated and whelped. On the contrary, oestrus was observed in only three of 10 buserelin-treated bitches and in two of them 7 and 13 days after the end of treatment. These same two bitches accepted mating and conceived. The results suggest that in a clinical setting, dopaminergic treatment is the treatment of choice as it yields more consistent results and involves a much easier administration protocol.

Administration, Oral↗

Treatment of macroprolactinoma with cabergoline: a study of 85 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Cabergoline is now established as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for prolactinoma. However, there are relatively few published data on the treatment of macro-, as opposed to micro-, prolactinoma. We have therefore reviewed the efficiency and safety of cabergoline in the treatment of patients with prolactin-secreting macroadenomas treated on a compassionate basis. STUDY DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Eighty-five patients with prolactin-secreting macroadenomas were treated with cabergoline 0.25 to 10.5 mg per week (median 1 mg) given to one to seven doses. Treatment durations ranged between 3 months and 8 years. Sixty-five patients (32 intolerant, 16 resistant) had been treated previously with other dopamine agonists. Pretreatment prolactin levels ranged between 80 and 8300 micrograms/I and tumour maximum diameters were between 11 and 42 mm. MEASUREMENTS: Serum prolactin, visual fields if initially abnormal, occurrence of menses or return of libido and potency, blood chemistry and adverse events were assessed at 1 month and then at 3-month intervals during treatment. Pituitary computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was usually repeated at 3 months and 1 year, then yearly, in most patients (n = 62). RESULTS: Normalization of prolactin levels was achieved in 52 patients (61.2%) and a prolactin decrease of at least 75% of pretreatment values occurred in 24 others (28.2%). Of the 20 de novo patients, 17 had prolactin normalized and the remainder had at least 75% reduction. Disappearance of tumour image was found in eight of 62 evaluable patients (12.9%) and reduction of the largest diameter by at least 25% in another 33 (53.2%), with an overall success rate of 66.1%; among the 17 evaluable de novo patients the success rate was 82.3%. Fifteen of 21 patients who failed to show tumour shrinkage had previously demonstrated resistance/intolerance to other prolactin-lowering treatments. Of the 12 patients with visual field defects at baseline, six normalized and two showed an improvement. Menses resumed during cabergoline treatment in 79.5% of premenopausal women. Restoration of potency was reported by seven of eight evaluable men. Adverse events were recorded in 24.7% of cases, four of whom (4.7%) discontinued treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although the present data were not obtained in a formal study we conclude that cabergoline is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for macroprolactinoma patients.

Adolescent↗

Cabergoline: a new drug for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia.

Recent clinical studies performed with the novel long acting dopamine agonist cabergoline in the inhibition and suppression of puerperal lactation and in the treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders are reviewed. Inhibition of puerperal lactation is achieved with a single 1.0 mg oral administration of the drug, with better efficacy and tolerability results in comparison with bromocriptine, 2.5 mg twice daily for 14 days; 1.0 mg cabergoline (given as 0.25 mg twice daily for 2 days to minimize adverse events) is also effective and well tolerated for the suppression of established lactation. In the treatment of hyperprolactinaemic amenorrhoea, 1-2 mg weekly doses of cabergoline (given on a twice weekly schedule) compare favourably with 5-10 mg daily bromocriptine (given on a twice daily schedule) both for biochemical (normalization of serum prolactin concentrations) and clinical efficacy (resumption of ovulatory cycles) as well as for tolerability. The results of these double-blind, reference therapy-controlled studies have been confirmed by several open studies, that also showed tumour shrinkage in most patients with macroprolactinomas and many patients with microprolactinomas. Persistence of normal or at least lower than pretreatment serum prolactin concentrations for several months after cabergoline withdrawal, together with persistence of cyclic ovulatory menses, has been also demonstrated. It is therefore suggested that cabergoline should become the drug of choice when inhibition or suppression of puerperal lactation is required and for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemic disorders.

Bromocriptine↗

Adjunctive cabergoline therapy of Parkinson's disease: comparison with placebo and assessment of dose responses and duration of effect.

Adjunctive cabergoline or placebo, in doses up to 5 mg daily, were administered to Parkinson's disease patients with short-duration levodopa responses in a 6-month double-blind trial. The 13 patients randomized to cabergoline and completing the study had significantly improved Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores and timed hand-tapping test scores. Serial measurements on test days documented improved scores: (a) before the first levodopa (and cabergoline) dose of the day, (b) at the time of the peak levodopa effect, and (c) at the end of the levodopa response cycle, 5 h after test doses. Continued testing verified that these therapeutic responses were sustained for at least 48 h after the last cabergoline dose. Patients randomized to placebo failed to improve on any of these measures. In a subsequent open-label dose-escalation phase, further improvement was documented as the dosage was gradually raised to 10 mg daily. As in the double-blind phase, levodopa reduction allowed the improvement to occur in the absence of significantly increased dyskinesias. Other side effects were more substantial with higher doses, however, including two of 11 patients with hallucinations and confusion. In summary, adjunctive single-daily-dose cabergoline therapy resulted in long-lasting, dose-related improvement in parkinsonism not seen in patients receiving placebo.

Adult↗

Long-lasting lowering of serum growth hormone and prolactin levels by single and repetitive cabergoline administration in dopamine-responsive acromegalic patients.

Cabergoline, the new long-acting dopaminergic ergoline derivative, was given orally in single doses of 0.3 and 0.6 mg to eight dopamine-responsive acromegalic patients. Serum GH and PRL levels were determined before treatment, 3, 4, and 6 h and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after treatment. A control test with a single oral dose of 2.5 mg of bromocriptine was also performed. Cabergoline induced a marked fall in serum PRL level, starting within 3 h and continuing for 7 days after administering 0.3 mg, and for 14 days after 0.6 mg. The mean maximal decrease was 49% after 0.3 mg and 63% after 0.6 mg and occurred after 24 h in both cases. The latter was of similar magnitude to that induced by bromocriptine (67% at 4 h). Serum GH levels did not change after 0.3 mg of cabergoline, but decreased significantly from 3 h to 3 days after 0.6 mg of the compound with a mean maximal decrease of 42% after 24 h, and from 3 to 6 h after giving bromocriptine (mean maximal decrease 63% at 4 h). Once a week repeated administration of 0.3-0.6 mg of cabergoline was carried out in six patients, five of whom had completed the acute study; a normalization of serum GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels occurred in three patients, one of whom had very high pretreatment values. In three poorly or nonresponsive patients, a better response, as assessed by both GH and IGF-I levels, was induced by increasing the dose up to 0.6 mg twice or 0.4 mg three times a week; in one case this was associated with marked tumour shrinkage. Sustained normalization of PRL levels was achieved in all cases. These data indicate that a single dose of 0.6 mg of cabergoline inhibits GH as well as PRL secretion in dopamine-responsive acromegalic patients and suggests that doses of 0.3-0.6 mg once to three times a week may prove suitable for treatment of this condition.

Acromegaly↗

The treatment with cabergoline for 24 month normalizes the quality of seminal fluid in hyperprolactinaemic males.

BACKGROUND: Alterations of sperm number and motility are found in hyperprolactinaemic men. Cabergoline treatment reverses alterations in semen. No information is currently available on the quality of seminal tests in hyperprolactinemia in response to cabergoline treatment. OBJECTIVE: To further investigate the effect of hyperprolactinaemia and its treatment with cabergoline on semen quality. PATIENTS: Forty-three men with hyperprolactinaemia (32 macro- and 11 micro-prolactinomas); 60 healthy men served as control. METHODS: Live spermatozoa count, sperm membrane function, kinetic index, nuclear DNA integrity, sperm curvilinear and linear velocity and amplitude of lateral movement of the sperm head were investigated before and after 6 and 24 months of treatment with cabergoline. STUDY DESIGN: Open prospective. RESULTS: At study entry, semen functional tests were severely and similarly impaired both in patients with macro- and micro-prolactinomas compared to controls. After 6 and 12 months of treatment there was a significant improvement of semen quality in patients achieving normalization of prolactin levels, although most of the parameters remained lower than in controls. After 24 months of treatment, seminal fluid characteristics were similar to the controls except for live spermatozoa count, sperm membrane function, sperm kinetic index and sperm nuclear DNA integrity, which remained abnormal in 9.3-53% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-four months of cabergoline treatment restored gonadal function in 66.7% of men with hyperprolactinaemia.

Adult↗

Efficacy and safety of high-dose cabergoline in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-dose (up to 20 mg/day) cabergoline in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four PD patients had cabergoline up-titrated and their levodopa (L-dopa) reduced over a maximum of 20 weeks, followed by at least 6 weeks steady cabergoline dosing. Primary endpoint was change in mean hyperkinesia intensity at the final visit (week 26). RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) cabergoline was increased from 6.43 +/- 2.66 to 12.78 +/- 5.67 mg/day and mean L-dopa reduced from 606.6 +/- 263.9 to 370.6 +/- 192.5 mg/day. A significant reduction (P < 0.001) in mean hyperkinesia intensity occurred from baseline (day 0) to week 26. Improvements in 'on with dyskinesias', mean dystonia intensity (P < 0.05), time spent in 'severe off' condition, severity of 'off' periods as well as clinical/patient global impression, and health-related quality of life were observed. Twenty-four drug-related adverse events were recorded of which four were regarded as serious. CONCLUSION: High-dose cabergoline was well tolerated and provided significant improvements in the Parkinson symptomatology and a reduced requirement for L-dopa.

Adolescent↗

Nelson's syndrome: complete remission with cabergoline but not with bromocriptine or cyproheptadine treatment.

A woman affected by Cushing's disease underwent bilateral adrenalectomy followed by radiotherapy of the hypothalamic-pituitary area when she was 18 years old. Thereafter, she used hydrocortisone acetate replacement therapy (35.5 mg divided into two daily doses). At the age of 26 years, the patient exhibited the clinical signs of the Nelson's syndrome, i.e. skin and gingival hyperpigmentation accompanied by amenorrhea, and elevated ACTH plasma levels (2,850 pg/ml, normal range 15-80 pg/ml). The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis of the sellar region evidenced a pituitary macroadenoma, measuring 14 x 13 mm. The patient was initially treated with cyproheptadine hydrochloride (12 mg/day) for 18 months. There was a partial improvement of the symptoms, with a reduction of the ACTH plasma levels to 112 pg/ml, but without any modification of the tumor mass. Due to sleepiness and weight gain, the cyproheptadine treatment was interrupted and substituted by a cabergoline (0.5 mg twice a week) therapy. Soon after cabergoline was applied an improvement of the clinical symptoms and signs was observed such as a regression of the tumor mass and the normalization of the ACTH plasma titers (38 pg/ml). Later, cabergoline was substituted by bromocriptine (7.5 mg/day) and the plasma levels of ACTH increased again (247 pg/ml), and headache and cutaneous hyperpigmentation were recorded. When cabergoline was reintroduced there was a clinical improvement and normalization of ACTH plasma levels (64 pg/ml). The MRI analysis of the sella region demonstrated a complete remission of the pituitary adenoma. The results obtained show for the first time that a long-term treatment with cabergoline also brings about a complete remission of Nelson's syndrome in the presence of a pituitary macroadenoma.

Adenoma↗

Cabergoline versus bromocriptine in suppression of lactation after cesarean delivery.

We evaluated the efficacy of cabergoline, a new ergoline derivative, in blocking puerperal lactation in a group of women delivered by cesarean section. In a single-blind controlled trial 36 women were randomly allocated to treatment with cabergoline 1 mg in a single dose p.o. (n = 18) or bromocriptine 5 mg/day p.o. for 14 days (n = 18). Treatment was started about 50 h after delivery. Clinical assessment of breast signs and determination of serum prolactin were performed just before treatment and at 3, 5, 7 and 14 days. In the cabergoline-treated group milk secretion was inhibited in 17 women (94.4%). Maximum decrease of serum prolactin was -89.7% at 5 days, and the prolactin-lowering effect of cabergoline was still present at 14 days. In the bromocriptine group milk secretion was inhibited in 16 women (88.9%). Maximum prolactin decrease (-86.9%) was reached at 3 days. Persistent side effects were comparable in the two groups. This study demonstrates that a single oral dose of 1 mg cabergoline is as effective in suppressing puerperal lactation as a full treatment with bromocriptine, even in women delivered by cesarean section.

Administration, Oral↗

Synergistic inhibition of lipid peroxidation by vitamin E and a dopamine agonist, cabergoline.

We examined antioxidant activity of cabergoline, a dopamine agonist, during the aerobic oxidation of phosphatidylcholine liposomes at 37 degrees C. Cabergoline retarded the oxidation initiated with a lipid-soluble initiator significantly better than that with a water-soluble initiator, suggesting that cabergoline locates in the lipid layer of liposomal membranes. Cabergoline inhibited the oxidation of liposomal membranes synergistically with endogenous antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, ubiquinol-10 and vitamin E, and vitamin E was the most efficient synergist. These results suggest that cabergoline may have a neuroprotective effect on the substantia nigra of Parkinsonian patients because of its synergistic antioxidant activity with vitamin E as well as its action on dopamine receptor.

Antioxidants↗

Efficacy of cabergoline in restless legs syndrome: a placebo-controlled study with polysomnography (CATOR).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the dopamine agonist cabergoline in the treatment of patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (CATOR study). METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) were randomly assigned to cabergoline (single evening dose: 2 mg) or placebo and treated for 5 weeks in a double-blind, multicenter polysomnography (PSG) trial. The primary efficacy measures were the periodic leg movements during sleep arousal index (PLMS-AI) and sleep efficiency. These and further PSG variables were monitored by centrally evaluated PSG. Severity of RLS was assessed using the International RLS Study Group Severity Scale (IRLS), the RLS-6 scales, the Sleep Questionnaire Form A (SF-A; quality of sleep), and the Quality of Life for RLS questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were treated and 40 patients were evaluated with PSG (age 56 +/- 10 years, 73% women). Cabergoline was superior to placebo in terms of the PLMS-AI (-17.7 +/- 16.4 vs -4.5 +/- 20.0 placebo; p = 0.0024), sleep efficiency (+6.2 +/- 13.9% vs +3.3 +/- 11.7%; p = 0.0443), PLMS index (p = 0.0014), PLM index (p = 0.0012), and total sleep time (p = 0.0443). Improvements in IRLS total score (-23.7 +/- 11.2 vs -7.9 +/- 11.0 placebo; p = 0.0002), RLS-6 severity scales during the night (p = 0.0010) and during the day (p = 0.0018), Clinical Global Impressions severity item (p = 0.0003), sleep quality (p = 0.0180), SF-A sleep quality (p = 0.0371), and QoL-RLS (p = 0.0247) were larger in patients treated with cabergoline compared with the placebo group. Adverse events were only mild and well-known side effects of dopamine agonists. CONCLUSION: Single-evening cabergoline is an efficacious and well-tolerated short-term therapy for sensorimotor symptoms of restless legs syndrome and associated sleep disturbances.

Adolescent↗

Controlled study of the antiparkinsonian activity and tolerability of cabergoline.

Cabergoline, a new ergoline derivative, is a D2-specific dopaminergic agonist that is more potent and longer-acting than other agonist agents. We conducted a randomized, double-blind study of increasing doses of cabergoline taken once a day. Twenty-five patients with Parkinson's disease taking stable doses of levodopa began cabergoline at 0.5 mg. The dose was escalated at weekly intervals to 1.0 mg in 19 patients, 1.5 mg in 14 patients, 2.0 mg in nine patients, and 2.5 mg in four patients. Treatment continued for 8 weeks after titration. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores, Hoehn and Yahr stage of disease, and computerized measures of motor performance improved significantly with cabergoline treatment. Dose-response effects were not significant. No serious adverse experiences occurred during the 13-week trial, and the side-effect profile mirrored other dopaminergic agonists. Cabergoline appears to be a promising agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

Effects of the dopamine agonist cabergoline in patients with prolactinoma intolerant or resistant to bromocriptine.

Cabergoline is a new long-acting crgoline derivative used to treat hyperprolactinaemia. Its effect was assessed in 10 patients (eight women and two men) with prolactinoma who were intolerant (group I: N = 7) or resistant (group II: N = 3) to bromocriptine. In group I, no side effect was observed on cabergoline therapy; two patients became pregnant and normoprolactinaemia was achieved in the live others. In group II, cabergoline was active and well-tolerated in two out of the three patients: one woman had three consecutive pregnancies: in another patient normoprolactinaemia was restored and the tumour shrank by 60%; in the third patient cabergoline was discontinued because of side effects and inefficacy. Thus, cabergoline appears to be an alternative of choice as treatment of hyperprolactinaemic patients who are intolerant or resistant to bromocriptine.

Adult↗