A long-acting repeatable form of bromocriptine as long-term treatment of prolactin-secreting macroadenomas: a multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and tolerability of monthly injections of the long-acting repeatable bromocriptine in patients with macroprolactinomas.


METHODS
Open and prospective trial.


METHODS
This multicenter trial was carried out in seven university hospitals.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with prolactin (PRL)-secreting macroadenomas.


METHODS
Fifty to 200 mg of the drug were administered intragluteally every 28 days for 6 to 24 months.


METHODS
The efficacy was assessed by repetitive plasma PRL measurements, visual field determinations, and computed tomography scan examinations.


RESULTS
After the first 50-mg injection, the mean percentage decrease of PRL levels was 71% from baseline on day 14; between days 1 and 28, PRL levels were suppressed to normal in nine cases, and a clear tumor shrinkage was documented in 21% of the patients. Normalization of PRL secretion was obtained in 62%, and a clear-cut reduction in tumor size in 50% of the patients after 6 months of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-acting repeatable form of bromocriptine was a well tolerated and quickly effective treatment in most of these patients with macroprolactinomas.
Brue
T
T
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Nord, Marseille, France.
Lancranjan
I
I
Louvet
J P
JP
Dewailly
D
D
Roger
P
P
Jaquet
P
P
D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005687:Galactorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008863:Microspheres; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin