Prolactin secretion and menstrual function after long-term bromocriptine treatment.
Long-term bromocriptine treatment was discontinued in 75 hyperprolactinemic women. Bromocriptine had been given for up to 65 months (median, 24 months). Treatment was reinstituted in 42 women (56%) after 1 to 3 months, mainly because of increasing prolactin levels. Thirty-three women (44%) were followed up for 6 months or more without treatment. Menstrual bleeding occurred in 19 of the 33 women (58%) after 6 months without treatment. The mean prolactin concentration in this group had decreased more than 60% compared with pretherapy concentrations. In 18 of the 42 women who had bromocriptine therapy again, treatment was discontinued a second time. Six of these patients have regular menstrual bleeding. Long-term bromocriptine treatment seems to induce long-standing normalization of prolactin secretion in patients with hyperprolactinemia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008598:Menstruation; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin