title: [Prescription of ergot derivatives for lactation inhibition in France: Current practices].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of ergot derivatives prescription for lactation inhibition in France, either label (bromocriptine 2.5mg and lisuride 0.2mg) or off-label prescription (dihydroergocryptine and cabergoline).
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis based on a questionnaire sent to all 618 French maternity wards in 2009, and prescription modalities from social security reimbursement data in the Rhône-Alpes region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean response rate to the questionnaire was 43% and main characteristics of respondents in this sample were very close to those found at the national level. The use of bromocriptine (89%) was the most frequently proposed. Dihydroergocryptine and cabergoline were mentioned as first or second alternatives in 39 and 24% of cases, respectively. Lisuride, homeopathy and phytotherapy were very rarely mentioned. The analysis of social security reimbursement data in the Rhône-Alpes region between 2008 and 2009 evidenced an increase in the rate of dihydroergocryptine prescriptions (from 37 to 46%), which were more frequent in women also treated with cardiovascular or psychotropic drugs, while that of bromocriptine decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that, in France, the main alternative to bromocriptine for lactation inhibition is the off-label use of dihydroergocryptine followed by cabergoline, which seems to be safer.
authors: Centre antipoison - centre de pharmacovigilance, hospices civils de Lyon, 162, avenue Lacassagne, 69003 Lyon, France.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mirkou
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Suchovsky
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gouraud
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gillet
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Bernard
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Descotes
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Vial
mesh_terms: D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077465:Cabergoline; D025443:Dihydroergocryptine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008090:Lisuride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D004873:Ergolines; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D001971:Bromocriptine; D025443:Dihydroergocryptine; D011388:Prolactin; D008090:Lisuride; D000077465:Cabergoline