Severe cardiac dysrhythmia in patients using bromocriptine postpartum.
Used worldwide since 1980 for the prevention of breast engorgement in the puerperium, in 1994 bromocriptine mesylate was withdrawn from the American market as an agent suitable for ablactation. The relevant recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration rested on case reports that described severe vasospastic reactions among users of the drug. Some patients so affected suffered stroke, intracranial bleeding, cerebral edema, convulsions, myocardial infarction, and puerperal psychosis. More recently, it has been suggested that the side effects of the drug may also include circulatory collapse secondary to cardiac dysrhythmia. This report describes two additional cases in this category. The antepartum clinical evaluation of these women suggested that they were predisposed to arrhythmias.
Iffy
L
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
O'Donnell
J
J
Correia
J
J
Hopp
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced; D015984:Causality; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin