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Increased circulating levels of bromocriptine after vaginal compared with oral administration
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland, Baltimore 21201.
Objective:
To compare the circulating levels of bromocriptine after oral and vaginal administration of the drug.
Design:
Experimental
Participants:
Seven ovulatory female volunteers and one hyperprolactinemic patient.
Interventions:
Ovulatory volunteers were randomized to receive either oral or vaginal bromocriptine (2.5 mg). In a second session, the subjects were crossed-over to bromocriptine by the alternate route. An additional hyperprolactinemic patient received vaginal bromocriptine only.
Main Outcome Measure:
Serum bromocriptine and prolactin (PRL) levels were measured hourly for 12 hours in the normal volunteers and for 10 hours in the hyperprolactinemic patient.
Results:
Circulating bromocriptine levels were significantly higher after vaginal bromocriptine after the 7th hour (P less than 0.05). The reduction in serum PRL was significantly greater after oral administration between 2 and 6 hours.
Conclusions:
Vaginally administered bromocriptine may result in a reduction in the overall dose required, thereby improving compliance without compromising therapeutic efficacy.