title: Increased circulating levels of bromocriptine after vaginal compared with oral administration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the circulating levels of bromocriptine after oral and vaginal administration of the drug.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven ovulatory female volunteers and one hyperprolactinemic patient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ovulatory volunteers were randomized to receive either oral or vaginal bromocriptine (2.5 mg). In a second session, the subjects were crossed-over to bromocriptine by the alternate route. An additional hyperprolactinemic patient received vaginal bromocriptine only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum bromocriptine and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured hourly for 12 hours in the normal volunteers and for 10 hours in the hyperprolactinemic patient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulating bromocriptine levels were significantly higher after vaginal bromocriptine after the 7th hour (P less than 0.05). The reduction in serum PRL was significantly greater after oral administration between 2 and 6 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginally administered bromocriptine may result in a reduction in the overall dose required, thereby improving compliance without compromising therapeutic efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hassell
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Schran
authors.forename: E Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Adashi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood; D007700:Kinetics; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin