The effect of lergotrile on galactorrhea and gonadotropin secretion

Lergotrile (Compound 83636), a specific inhibitor of prolactin release, was administered to 5 women with galactorrhea. Only 1 of the 5 had an elevated serum prolactin (hPRL) value, but Compound 83636 induced a decrease in serum hPRL in all cases. All patients had cessation of breast secretion within 72 days after initiation of lergotrile. LRH administration (100 pg) evoked a variable gonadotropin response before and during treatment with the ergot alkaloid. By contrast, serum prolactin values remained essentially unaltered after injection of LRH under the same conditions.