Bromocriptine-associated headache: possible life-threatening sympathomimetic interaction.
We present two cases of severe headache associated with the use of bromocriptine for lactation suppression in otherwise healthy women. In each case, the additional use of a therapeutic sympathomimetic agent resulted in extreme worsening of symptoms with development of hypertension and life-threatening complications (ventricular tachycardia and cardiac dysfunction in one case, seizures and cerebral vasospasm in the other). Sympathomimetics in combination with bromocriptine in patients with a bromocriptine-associated headache during the puerperium may be dangerous.
Colorado Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Program, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver.
K
K
Kulig
L L
LL
Moore
M
M
Kirk
D
D
Smith
J
J
Stallworth
B
B
Rumack
D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014653:Vascular Headaches / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D013566:Sympathomimetics; D001971:Bromocriptine