Inhibition of puerperal lactation by bromocriptine.
Puerperal lactation is regulated by a complex of hormones, including in particular prolactin. In a few instances prevention of lactation is desirable on medical grounds. However, most Western-European women who do not nurse their babies choose not to do so for personal reasons. In two double-blind studies the effect of bromocriptine was compared with that of placebo and an oestrogen/androgen compound. Bromocriptine prevented both milk secretion and engorgement of the breasts very effectively. It is clearly a better and more specific inhibitor of lactation than the combined oestrogen/androgen compound. Its effect is through the blockade of pituitary prolactin release. As normoprolactinaemia is reached, normal ovarian function is restored in bromocriptine treated women. To prevent the occurrence of a rebound lactation phenomenon, the drug has to be administered continuously for at least a fortnight.
D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010919:Placebos; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D004338:Drug Combinations; D006062:Gonadotropins; D010919:Placebos; D001971:Bromocriptine; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D009640:Norethindrone