title: Vaginal bromocriptine--clinical and biochemical effects.
abstract: Adverse effects occur in over 50% of women taking oral bromocriptine, causing at least 10% to discontinue treatment. Although the drug is absorbed from the vagina and reportedly caused no side-effects in one patient intolerant of oral bromocriptine, long-term clinical effects of daily vaginal administration have not been assessed. We have now given bromocriptine vaginally for up to 2 years to 31 hyperprolactinemic and five normoprolactinemic women, 17 of whom were intolerant of oral bromocriptine. The drug was well absorbed from the vagina and a daily dosage of 2.5 mg lowered serum prolactin levels in 28 of the hyperprolactinemic women (in 11 to within normal limits), restored menstrual cyclicity, and abolished galactorrhea; one of the four infertile women conceived. Minor side-effects occurred in only three women. Vaginal administration is clinically effective, avoids the adverse effects of oral therapy and could be the first-line treatment for patients requiring bromocriptine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ginsburg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hardiman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000285:Administration, Rectal; D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin