title: Prolactin excess: treatment and toxicity.
abstract: Dopamine agonists provide highly effective therapy for the treatment of hyperprolactinemia. As a result of their efficacy and tolerability, these agents are considered to be the initial therapy of choice in children, adolescents and adults with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia and prolactinomas. The four dopamine agonists, bromocriptine, pergolide, cabergoline and quinagolide, share a similar mechanism of action and side effect profile. Although studies of cabergoline have demonstrated the highest treatment efficacy and tolerability, all four of these agents are safe, effective and tolerable in children and adolescents. When fertility is desired, bromocriptine is generally preferable, but cabergoline is also likely safe; pergolide and quinagolide should not be used in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA, and Endocrinology Unit, Alvarez Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mary P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Gillam
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fideleff
authors.forename: Hugo R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Boquete
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Molitch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists