A comparison among the growth hormone-lowering effects in acromegaly of the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995, bromocriptine, and the combination of both drugs.
The acute GH inhibitory effects of 50 micrograms SMS 201-995, a somatostatin analog, and 2.5 mg bromocriptine were compared in 17 acromegalic patients. SMS 201-995 suppressed plasma GH levels after 2-6 h to 5 micrograms/liter or less in 10 of these 17 patients, while bromocriptine did the same in only 5 of them. There was much variation in the responsiveness to both drugs in these patients, but the GH-lowering effect of 50 micrograms SMS 201-995 was significantly greater than that of 2.5 mg bromocriptine. SMS 201-995 and bromocriptine together significantly suppressed plasma GH levels in 2 of 3 acromegalic patients who were insensitive to both compounds when tested separately. We conclude that most acromegalic patients respond better to SMS 201-995, while a few patients are more sensitive to the GH-lowering effect of bromocriptine. In addition, the combination of SMS 201-995 and bromocriptine can be of value in a few acromegalic patients who do not respond to either drug alone.
Lamberts
S W
SW
Zweens
M
M
Verschoor
L
L
del Pozo
E
E
D000172:Acromegaly / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D001971:Bromocriptine; D013004:Somatostatin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D015282:Octreotide